PowerGrid gears up for Lankan foray

NEW DELHI: After NTPC, it could soon be PowerGrid’s turn to venture into Sri Lanka. The power transmission major has already conducted a feasibility study on setting up an evacuation system that connects India with Sri Lanka. Further consultations for the Rs 1,500-2,000 crore project are under way between the two governments.

With the pre-feasibility study already being completed by PowerGrid, a task force has been set up to take the plan forward. The task force will study the report keeping commercial interest in mind.

The task force, comprising representatives of the ministry of power, Central Electricity Authority(CEA) and PowerGrid and Sri Lankan officials, will study the feasibility report prepared by PowerGrid and make recommendations to the steering committee regarding the inter-connection.

It is likely that an agreement to set up a power transmission line between India and Sri Lanka will be finalised and signed early next year. The pre-feasibility report suggests linking Madurai in Tamil Nadu and Anuradhapura in the North Central province of Sri Lanka.

A delegation led by the Sri Lankan secretary of power and energy MMC Ferdinando met power secretary RV Shahi and representatives of CEA and PowerGrid.

It was agreed that a steering committee co-chaired by the two secretaries be established to look into areas where the two countries could co-operate. The feasibility of establishing electrical grid inter-connectivity between India and Sri Lanka was also discussed.