Sri Lanka to set up wind power plants in northwestern coast

Sri Lanka plans to harness the wind energy along the northwestern coast of the country and has identified Mannar and the adjoining coastal areas as suitable for setting up a dedicated Wind Farm Plants.

The Cabinet of Ministers Wednesday approved a proposal made by Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka to set up the first of these Wind Turbines Parks in Mannar.

The government is expected to conduct an environmental impact assessment on the proposed wind farm project. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank have agreed to provide technical assistance for the project, the government said.

The ADB has already committed funds through its loan package for 2012 to meet the infrastructure cost of the Wind Farm including the construction of 220 KV Grid Substation at Mannar and transmission line to Mannar via Vavuniya or Anuradhapura.

The government plans to develop the wind power as a significant energy source to meet the country’s requirement, especially to supply power to many remote villages.

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