India setting up Solar Power Park in Sri Lanka
                     India setting up Solar Power 
Park in Sri Lanka
Introduction
India is preparing to construct a solar power park in Sri Lanka as part 
of a strategy to project its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) 
in the midst of Chinese attempts to draw nations to its 'Belt and Road' 
initiative, as per the source. 
Source: Pixabay
Backed Up By
Taking advantage of its solar expertise, India's largest power 
generation utility NTPC Ltd is planning to develop this project in the 
island nation under the aegis of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Source: The Hindu
Chinese Domination
• The step comes in the midst of a rising Chinese presence in the Indian 
Ocean region, despite India's sphere of influence. 
• Further flexing its muscle, the Indian Navy conducted joint exercises with the 
US Navy on Monday in the Bay of Bengal, sailing in with an aircraft carrier 
battle group led by the USS Nimitz.
Source: SKT Mud
Capacity of the Board
• The state-run Ceylon Electricity Board has an installed capacity of about 35,8 
gigawatts (GW) of generation power. India has been working towards the 
improvement of Sri Lankan energy infrastructure. 
• Earlier, Petronet LNG Ltd had announced plans to construct a liquefied 
natural gas terminal in Sri Lanka. 
Source: Pixabay
Solar Park Plan
The solar park is NTPC 's second foray after Colombo scrapped a plan 
to set up Trincomalee's $500 million coal-fuelled power plant in 2016 
over environmental concerns.
Source: Pixabay
Reason behind the Hype
• NTPC's Sri Lankan solar move, with an installed capacity of 62.91 GW, is one 
of several such contracts being pursued to help build 10 GW solar capacity in 
ISA member countries. 
• Green energy projects now account for over a fifth of India's 370 GW installed 
generating capacity.
Source: Pixabay
Agreement at Kerawalapitiya
In 2019 , the company signed a joint venture and shareholder agreement with the 
Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to create a 50:50 joint venture company in 
Kerawalapitiya for the planned 300 MW production plus 15 per cent LNG power 
project.
Source: Pixabay
Next Plans
• NTPC aims to assist Gambia and Malawi in the development of solar power 
parks and consulting contracts for project management in Sudan, 
Mozambique, Egypt, Uganda , Rwanda and Niger. 
• India's largest utility for electricity generation recently received these contracts 
in Mali and Togo.
Source: Pixabay
India’s Clean Energy Plans
• India is also working on setting up the much-needed solar wafer and ingot 
power, and is planning to issue tenders that could provide for Viability Gap 
Financing (VGF) to attract producers. 
• Wafers and ingots are the building blocks for the manufacture of solar cells 
and modules, and are important to India 's plans for renewable energy.
Source: Deccan Chronicle
Political Agenda
• To fight Beijing, the US is pursuing a greater role for India in stabilizing and 
maintaining the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region, a vast swathe of land 
and sea extending from the US' west coast to East Africa's shores.
Source: Solar Surge