- India will build a 120MW solar plant in Sampur, Sri Lanka, after Adani’s wind farm project is cancelled.
- The project strengthens India’s economic ties with Sri Lanka, countering China’s growing influence.
- Sri Lanka aims for 70% renewable energy by 2030, with the Sampur solar plant contributing to that goal.
India will build a 120-megawatt solar plant in Sampur, Sri Lanka. The project revives a delayed plan after the cancellation of Adani Group’s wind farm.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the project. NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation), a state-owned company, will lead the development. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the project on April 5. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will attend the event.
Weeks ago, Sri Lanka cancelled Adani’s €420 million wind farm in the northwest. The government renegotiated the contract but rejected the high electricity cost. Transparency concerns also influenced the decision.
The Sampur solar project reflects India’s push to strengthen economic ties with Sri Lanka. China continues expanding its influence through infrastructure investments. Indian Ministry of External Affairs Secretary Vikram Misri called the launch a milestone in bilateral relations.
The cancellation of Adani’s project weakens the conglomerate’s presence in Sri Lanka. Gautam Adani, the company’s leader and a close associate of Prime Minister Modi, had promised $1 billion in renewable energy investments in the country. U.S. federal authorities indicted him in 2024 over corruption in solar contracts in India.
The Sampur solar plant will help Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. The country faced a financial crisis in 2022. In 2024, Sri Lanka recorded 5% GDP growth, which the International Monetary Fund (IMF) described as a significant improvement.
India’s energy investments in Sri Lanka serve strategic interests. The country seeks to counter China’s growing influence. In recent years, China funded significant projects in Sri Lanka, including the Hambantota port.
India has consistently sought a more decisive role in Sri Lanka’s energy sector. Authorities initially planned a coal plant for the Sampur site, but environmental concerns halted that plan. The solar project aligns with Sri Lanka’s push for clean energy.
Sri Lanka aims to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The Sampur solar plant will contribute to that goal. The project will also create jobs and improve energy security.
The cancellation of Adani’s wind farm sparked debate. Critics questioned the project’s transparency, while others saw the move as Sri Lanka asserting more control over foreign investments.
India and Sri Lanka share deep historical and economic ties. Annual trade between both nations exceeds $5 billion. India ranks among Sri Lanka’s top trading partners and investors.
Despite setbacks, Adani remains interested in Sri Lanka’s energy sector and may still develop other renewable projects in the country.
The Sampur solar project reinforces India’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s development. It also strengthens India’s regional influence. As Sri Lanka recovers from its crisis, energy investments will remain vital.