Feasibility study on India-Lanka grid likely by December

A feasibility study on the nearly Rs 4,000-crore India-Sri Lanka grid interconnection project is expected to be complete by December.

The interconnected grids will allow exchanges of up to 1,000 MW power.

“Final submission of the feasibility study report, incorporating all the aspects … such as funding and recovery of the investment, economic and financial analysis, legal and institutional aspects etc., is to be completed by December 2011,” according to a Power Ministry document.

In June 2010, an MoU was signed among Indian and Sri Lankan Governments as well as the PowerGrid Corporation and Ceylon Electricity Board for conducting the feasibility study.

 According to the document, the feasibility study envisages “laying cable at a depth of 25 metres below the mean sea level for 500 m span while crossing the Sethusamudram Canal.”

Noting that this would require dredging of about 15 metres below sea-bed in the Canal section, the Power Ministry document said the same would be feasible only if the Canal is executed before laying the submarine cable. India-Sri Lanka electricity grid interconnection would span 360 km of lines, including 120 km of sea route.

“Alternatively, overhead option would be required to cross Sethusamudram Canal,” it said. PowerGrid and CEB are the executing agencies for the study, which would cost roughly about US  $3 million and the amount would be equally shared by Indian and Sri Lankan governments.