Sri Lanka And India Partner To Develop LNG Infrastructure And Supply For Power Plant
Editor
August 26, 2024
In a major stride towards cleaner and more sustainable energy production, LTL Holdings Limited of Sri Lanka and Petronet LNG Limited of India today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure and supply. This agreement, supported by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Power and Energy, paves the way for the Sobadhanavi Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya to commence operations with LNG as a key fuel source.
The MoU was signed today in a ceremony attended by high-ranking officials, including Kanchana Wijesekara, Minister of Power and Energy, and Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Deputy High Commissioner of India for Sri Lanka. Also present were Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardhana, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy, Nalinda Illangakoon, Chairman of CEB, LTL Holdings CEO Nuhuman Marikkar, and Saliya Wickramasuriya, Chairman of CPC.
This partnership will enable the import of LNG to Colombo Port from Petronet’s Kochi terminal in India via ISO containers, which will be stored and transported to the Kerawalapitiya facility. Once regasified, the LNG will fuel the Sobadhanavi Power Plant, significantly enhancing Sri Lanka’s power generation capacity by 350 MW by early 2025.
The Sobadhanavi Power Plant, developed and operated by Lakdhanavi Limited, a subsidiary of LTL Holdings, marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s energy sector. It is designed to operate on both natural gas and hydrogen (up to 30% when available), aligning with the government’s vision of a sustainable and economically viable energy future.
Minister Wijesekara, who has been a driving force behind efforts to reduce electricity generation costs, lauded the partnership as a vital step towards stabilizing Sri Lanka’s power sector. The use of LNG, a cleaner energy source, is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the nation’s environmental goals while also lowering electricity costs for consumers.
LTL Holdings, a longstanding leader in Sri Lanka’s power generation sector, reaffirmed its commitment to delivering reliable and affordable energy. This latest initiative underscores the company’s dedication to enhancing the country’s energy infrastructure, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for all Sri Lankans.