ADB, Japan boost for rural electrification

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japanese Government will provide assistance to Sri Lanka to improve the nation's power transmission system and to expand rural electrification, and thus will contribute towards the Government's goal of widening public access to electricity services from 80 percent to 98 percent by 2016. The sustainable power sector support Technical Assistance (TA) project is funded by the Japanese Government through the Japan Special Fund (JSF) that is administered by the ADB.

The JSF is extending a grant of $ 800,000 for the project while the Government will provide $200,000 for Technical Assistance implementation. "The technical assistance will utilize low-cost design and comprehensive feasibility studies for strengthening transmission system in the Southern, Eastern, and Northern parts.

It will also address rural electrification improvements including in the Eastern province," said ADB's South Asia Department Senior Energy Specialist Mukhtor Khamudkhanov.

"Power sector development will be critical to Sri Lanka's post war development. We hope this project will lend strong support to the Government of Sri Lanka in addressing a number of urgent priorities in the power sector, particularly in driving crucial improvements in energy efficiency, reliability and access to meet the country's rapidly growing demands," said ADB's Sri Lanka Resident Mission Country Director Richard Vokes.

"The ensuing project is expected to contribute to further economic growth through sustainable power sector development, reduce poverty by improving access to electricity in rural areas, and enhance energy efficiency and renewable energy development, which will contribute to environmental sustainability. These elements are consistent with Japan's Official Development Assistance policy," said Japanese Embassy Second Secretary Katsuho Hayashi.