Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_In a major attempt to address the island’s ongoing energy crisis, Sri Lanka is looking for alternative energy sources to fulfill its energy requirements, and has proposed nuclear energy cooperation with Russia. Accordingly, Kanchana Wijesekera, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Power and Energy, recently held meetings with Russian Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan and discussed the project. Additionally, Sri Lankan authorities are searching for new energy sources to address the nation’s rising energy and fuel crises, which is the direct result of a severe economic downturn and limited foreign exchange reserves.
Following the formal discussion, the Russian embassy tweeted: “The meeting focused on the requirements of Sri Lanka’s energy sector, such as the fuel, refinery operations, coal supply and cooperation in nuclear energy.” Minister Wijesekera reiterated this statement noting that a memorandum of understanding was inked between the government and Rosatom for nuclear energy collaboration. Rosatom is the state-owned Russian corporation specializing in nuclear energy and high-tech goods.
According to some experts, Russia might solve the majority of Sri Lanka’s energy issues. Russian authorities reported that they are already collaborating with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Energy to expand energy sector trade. According to Russia Trade Commissioner Alexander Rybus, at present, the focus is on oil and coal, but there are opportunities for additional projects, especially considering the country’s nuclear power generating capabilities.
According to sources from the Energy Ministry, Russia is prepared to expand commercial cooperation with Sri Lanka in sectors other than energy, including agriculture, tourism, and health. Sri Lanka’s active participation in peaceful nuclear energy cooperation with Russia dates back to January 2018, where the two nations conducted discussions on the subject. At the time, Nikolai Spassky, deputy director general of Rosatom, held meetings with then-Minister of Energy, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, and then-Minister of Science, Technology and Research, Susil Premajayantha.
According to engineering experts at top national institutions, as a prominent participant in the worldwide supply chains for nuclear reactor technology, Russia is able to give technological expertise and investments in this field. According to sources from Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Sri Lanka might have a severe electricity shortage in 2023 due to supply issues at the Norocholai coal power plant. Moreover, the government is in need of 38 coal cargoes by 30 April 2023 as its present coal reserves would only last until 20 January 2023.
