Sri Lanka and India have renewed the discussions on the long-delayed cross-strait 1,000 MW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnection project, with a Detailed Project Report (DPR) expected from India on plans to link the island’s power grid to that of Tamil Nadu, The Sunday Morning learns.
The proposed project has long been viewed as an alternative stopgap solution to the existing power crisis. It is understood that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Indian High Commission in Colombo held discussions late December regarding the re-commencement of negotiations on the HVDC interconnection project.
A highly-placed source close to the subject at the CEB told The Sunday Morning that the Indian High Commission had informed the CEB that a DPR, together with previously-formulated documents, would be sent for its consideration once again.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Governments of India and Sri Lanka in 2010, a feasibility study had been carried out by CEB and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. jointly for the implementation of a 1,000 MW HVDC interconnection project.
However, as highlighted in the Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan (LTGEP) for the period of 2022-2041, according to the initial proposals about the feasibility study and also with the economic and financial analysis, the project is not economically or financially viable.
Major items impacting project cost are submarine cable and HVDC technology (conventional HVDC- or VSC-based HVDC) selection.
According to sources, the integrated operation of two systems primarily provide import opportunities for Sri Lanka with minimal or no export opportunities in the studied scenario.
Furthermore, it is highlighted in the LTGEP that it should be reviewed in detail whether the design and terms of operation of 500 MW HVDC interconnection has the potential to enhance the system flexibility to integrate a large amount of renewable energy in the long term.
When contacted by The Sunday Morning, CEB Chairman Nalinda Ilangakoon said nothing had been finalised yet on the HVDC line, which had been in discussion for several years. When asked whether the HVDC line would be an immediate solution to the power crisis, he said it would not
as it was still under discussion and nothing had yet been finalised.