Power grid connection with India: Sri Lanka seeks to review estimated US $1.2 billion cost

By Kelum Bandara

The government has sought to review the estimated cost of US $ 1.2 billion for the implementation of the project to link the power grids of India and Sri Lanka as part of connectivity between the two sides, a source familiar with negotiations said.  

• The cost has been estimated roughly based on quotations from international suppliers of raw materials

The two countries decided to implement grid connectivity as envisaged in the joint statement issued after President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to India last year.  
The grids will be connected using an under-sea cable covering a distance of 120 kilometres from Mannar in the north of Sri Lanka and Madurai in the south of India.  
“The cost has been estimated roughly based on quotations from international suppliers of raw materials required in the execution of the project. It looks too high. So, we sought to review it,” the source said.  
The two sides are also planning to conduct the Environment Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the project. The area covers the central avian flyway.