India and Sri Lanka to Link Power Grids

India and Sri Lanka are providing new impetus to the long-delayed power grid connectivity between the two countries for the exchange of electricity. Following a proposal meeting last month, work has begun on updating a full project report for the maritime component of the link's connectivity via overhead line or underwater cable.

The deadline for a preliminary comprehensive project report is September 15; after that, the two parties will consider and finalise it, they said. According to the sources, Sri Lanka will conduct the necessary load flow assessments for its network in the time frame 2027-2028, taking into account a 500 MW exchange with India via the proposed link.

India will conduct load flow studies on the combined network data based on input from the Sri Lankan side. This could be completed by the 21st of August.

The findings would then be discussed with members of the Central Electricity Authority, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), which was formed in 2016. The proposal for cross-border interconnection has been discussed for nearly two decades. According to those familiar with the situation, it was harmed by the project's exorbitant costs, which rendered it unviable.