Sri Lanka is discussing 220 million dollars in power sector financing with China’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said following a meeting with the lender and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation.
Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Electricity Board and NPTC is building a 130 MegaWatt joint venture solar farm in Sampur, Trincomalee.
“AIIB officials at the meeting communicated the ability to finance” 200 million dollars for transmission & grid development 20 Million for project development, Minister Wijesekera said in a twitter.com message.
AIIB, set up as a multilateral lender is protected from a sovereign default, along with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Sri Lanka is hoping to complete a default workout by September.
An energy permit for the first phase of the 130MW ground mounted solar park will be also be issued within a week, he said.
Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena earlier cancelled 500 MW coal plant in Sampur shortly before equipment was set for international tender, de-stabilizing a generation plan of the agency.