LVL Energy Fund PLC, a subsidiary of Lanka Ventures, is set to expand its alternative energy footprint with the development of seven new solar power projects. The plants will be set up in partnership with First Energy SL (Pvt) Ltd, in strategic locations across the island and will have a collective capacity of 7 MW of solar energy.
With several hydro, wind and thermal energy projects already in operation, these are the first solar power plants to be added to the company’s portfolio. The new plants are estimated to cost a total of Rs. 1.2 billion and are part of the LVL Energy Fund’s long-term strategy to diversify its energy offering and strengthen its position as a leader in the alternative energy arena.
Sumith Arangala – CEO, LVL Energy Fund said, “We are on our way to setting up our first-ever solar power plants and we are very pleased to be diversifying into this highly sustainable and fully eco-friendly source of energy. Solar power is the ultimate energy resource of the future, and we are privileged to play a role in shifting Sri Lanka’s dependency from non-renewable energy resources such as fossil fuels, to renewable and more environmentally-friendly options that are less taxing on the planet.”
The plants are being set up in response to a tender launched by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), calling for the setting up of 90 power plants with a capacity of 1 MW each. Constituting the LVL Energy Fund’s total solar power contribution of 7 MW is the 3 MW plant which will be located in Maho, the 2 MW plant which will be situated in Pallekele as well as the Mathugama and Embilipitiya plants which will each generate 1 MW. Connected to 4 grid substations in the above locations. Each power project is to be developed on a Build, Own & Operate (BOO) basis.