The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority (SLAEA) has sought Cabinet approval for the basic approach to integrate nuclear energy into the country’s energy system. The SLAEA has prepared two documents for submission to the Cabinet, including a call for expressions of interest from prospective investors (EOI) and a document seeking the government’s decision on the expansion of the energy mix.
The SLAEA Chairman, Professor S.R.D. Rosa, stated that various countries including Russia, France, and Denmark, have submitted proposals, with the Russian proposal being comprehensive enough for Sri Lanka’s consideration. Russia, in particular, has proposed the establishment of offshore or onshore nuclear power plants in Sri Lanka, similar to initiatives in India and Bangladesh.
“We have submitted them to the Ministry of Power and Energy for Cabinet approval,” said Professor Rosa, referring to the Invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) and the document declaring the National Policy on the availability of nuclear power for energy sources.
In response to the proposals, Russia has indicated its willingness to send a delegation from Rosatom, the State Nuclear Energy Corporation, to Sri Lanka for further discussions. Notably, Russia has already committed a fund of $11.38 billion to Bangladesh for the construction of a nuclear power plant, scheduled for repayment over two decades starting in 2027.
The developments suggest that Sri Lanka is actively exploring the potential of nuclear energy as part of its energy infrastructure, with multiple countries expressing interest in contributing to this initiative.
-Daily Mirror-
