LVL Energy Fund set to expand portfolio with 7 new solar power plants.

Byline: LBO

Leading energy company and a subsidiary of Lanka Ventures, the LVL Energy Fund PLC 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.

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. The tenure of power purchase agreement for each plant is 20 years, and the entire implementation and set up process of the power plants is estimated to take approximately six months upon receiving all approvals.

Commenting on the LVL Energy Fund embarking on its first-ever solar power projects, Sumith...