Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has branded the government’s decision to engage in a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with an Australia-based firm as an act of corruption.

Delivering a special statement today (14 Dec.), the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader accused the government of endorsing a proposal to engage in a PPA with the Australian firm United Solar Group (USG) without following the proper tender process.

Meanwhile, speaking in Parliament in this regard recently, the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake also charged that the move would only result in consumers having to pay higher electricity tariffs.

On 12 December, the Cabinet of Ministers has green-lighted a proposal seeking to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with the Australia-based company United Solar Group.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Power & Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said through this deal, plans are afoot to invest in a 700MW Solar Power Project with a 1,500MW Battery Energy Storage System.

“The Solar power project will be installed on the surface of the Poonakary Tank in the Killinochchi District, with a Foreign Direct Investment of USD 1,727 Million,” Wijesekera added.

Earlier this year, the Cabinet of Ministers gave the nod to call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from prospective investors to develop renewable energy projects with a capacity of 50MW or more in order to support the implementation of expeditious renewable energy development programs in the country.

As such, United Solar Energy Sri Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd., the local subsidiary of United Solar Group, had submitted a proposal to develop a solar power plant of 700MW with a battery energy storage system, at Poonakary Tank, Kilinochchi enabling to provide a power supply of 134MW.