Solar rooftop systems for religious places : Indian project continues
India has provided solar rooftop systems to four religious sites in Sri Lanka as part of a $17 million loan initiative to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at 5,000 locations across the country.
The handover ceremony took place on Oct. 25 at Hokandara Temple, Sri Aanjaneyar Temple, St. Anthony’s Church, and Mutwal Jumma Mosque in the Western Province. Officials from the High Commission of India in Colombo, the Ceylon Electricity Board, and the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority were present.
The project aims to reduce energy costs for religious institutions and support Sri Lanka’s transition to renewable energy. The solar PV systems will add 25 megawatts of solar capacity to the national grid, generating an estimated 37 million units of electricity annually, officials said.
The initiative will encompass all nine provinces and 25 districts in Sri Lanka, providing solar power to religious sites across Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. This reflects “India’s steadfast commitment to bilateral cooperation in renewable energy,” the High Commission said, and aligns with the “people-centric energy transition” policy of the Sri Lankan government.
This effort, which includes a five-year maintenance plan, is expected to be completed by early 2025. It aligns with India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and builds on the recent visit of India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, who pledged continued support for Sri Lankan development priorities.
The solar project is one of several ongoing collaborations in the energy sector between the two nations. Other initiatives include solar electrification for nearly 9,000 Buddhist temples and pirivenas, a hybrid renewable energy project in three islands off Jaffna, LNG infrastructure development, and a solar power plant at Sampur.
Former Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara stated that the project, which was tendered in March this year, commenced in July in the Matara district; however, installations in other areas were halted due to the Presidential Election.
