India-Sri Lanka Energy Cooperation: HVDC Power Link and Sampur Solar Project Explained
India and Sri Lanka are entering a new era of cooperation in the area of energy through the plan for a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity link between the two nations and the building of a large-scale solar power plant at Sampur in Sri Lanka.
Both projects are important as they serve two facets of one and the same problem: the HVDC connection is intended to allow electricity to flow between India and Sri Lanka, whereas the construction of the solar plant is expected to increase the amount of renewables-based power production in Sri Lanka.
The cooperation is an example of a larger attempt to enhance energy security, increase the share of renewable power production, reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel generation and strengthen economic ties between the countries. An HVDC interconnection was officially approved by India and Sri Lanka in April 2025.
What Is the India-Sri Lanka HVDC Power Link?
The proposed electricity connection is a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnection between India and Sri Lanka.
To put it simply, this initiative would be a way to connect two nations in terms of their power supply needs. When this power interconnection system comes to life, it would enable electricity transfer from the energy systems of India and Sri Lanka, provided that the final arrangements are made.
This project is nothing new; indeed, the idea of establishing a power grid connection between India and Sri Lanka has been discussed for many years. In particular, the signing of the MoU on an HVDC interconnection in April 2025 can be considered an important milestone of the process.
For Sri Lanka, this power interconnection would serve as a means to generate additional electricity when needed. India would get another chance to engage in cross-border power trading.
Why HVDC Technology Matters
HVDC technology is especially advantageous where long-distance transmission of electricity is required.
Thus, the new HVDC system for India-Sri Lanka is not only an additional transmission line but also can serve as a means of building regional energy infrastructure and linking the power grids of the two adjacent countries.
Moreover, a cross-border connection might turn out to be very useful as the use of renewable energy grows. Wind and solar power depend on the weather conditions and the time of the day and the electricity exchange may give more flexibility in such case.
What Is the Sampur Solar Project?
The next important feature of energy cooperation between India and Sri Lanka is the Sampur solar power project in Trincomalee of eastern Sri Lanka.
This project has been envisaged as a joint venture of India’s NTPC and Ceylon Electricity Board of Sri Lanka. The Cabinet of Sri Lanka has already given its approval for the implementation of the first phase of the project having an installed capacity of 50 MW, with 70 MW capacity for the next phase of the project, making the total capacity of the project as 120 MW.
The project is being developed by means of build-own-operate (BOO) scheme through Trincomalee Power Company, which is a joint venture of power sector of the two countries. Invitation for bid for the EPC of the 50 MWac Phase-I project was floated in February 2026.
Why Sampur Is Important for Sri Lanka
It is important to point out that the Sampur project is critical for Sri Lanka considering that the country intends to develop the share of renewable energy sources, as well as to ensure that electricity remains affordable and reliable.
The use of solar energy helps to decrease the dependency of Sri Lanka on imported fossil fuels and the use of expensive energy resources when their prices increase.
Thus, it is critical to realize that the Sampur project is just one of those initiatives implemented by the country that aims at strengthening the domestic energy system of Sri Lanka, as well as increasing the renewable energy share.
It is important to state that India and Sri Lanka have agreed to implement the project and consider the options of increasing its capacity in accordance with the requirements of Sri Lanka.
The Transmission Network Around Sampur
Generation of electricity by the solar power plant is dependent on the availability of sufficient grid capacity to carry the power generated.
This is the reason why the transmission infrastructure at Sampur is yet another critical component of the narrative.
For the development of Sampur-Kappalthurai Transmission Infrastructure Development Project, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has sanctioned funds. The project consists of a grid substation at Sampur and a 38-km 220-kV double circuit transmission line from Sampur to Kappalthurai. Its goal is to enhance the power evacuation capacity and to provide connectivity to renewable energy projects, including the proposed solar power plant, to the national grid.
The project is an infrastructure project listed by Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board to be implemented between 2026 and 2028.
How the Two Projects Could Work Together
While the two initiatives are different in nature, both fit into a larger energy strategy.
The Sampur project contributes to the development of renewable energy in Sri Lanka. The power grid will enable transferring electricity from the projects to the national grid. On the other hand, the proposed HVDC connection would provide a means for electricity trading between India and Sri Lanka.
These steps might be instrumental in creating a better energy network in the region.
This will become increasingly important as India and Sri Lanka develop their renewable energy resources and increase their energy security.
What This Means for India
For India, such cooperation is another chance to enhance energy connectivity in the region.
India has already established electricity connections with neighbouring countries and is trying to promote power cooperation in the region. In fact, according to the Ministry of Power, Sri Lanka is one of those neighbouring countries that cooperate on the issues of the power sector with India.
The electricity connection between India and Sri Lanka can become a part of a regional electricity network in South Asia.
Furthermore, such cooperation can enhance India’s position as an electricity supplier and provider of technologies and experience to its neighbours.
What This Means for Sri Lanka
Potential advantages for Sri Lanka are very much tied to energy security issues.
An interconnection for electricity supply can be an additional way of satisfying electricity requirements, whereas the Sampur solar power plant would boost the production of renewable energy inside the country.
In this way, Sri Lanka can diversify its sources of energy and become less dependent on price fluctuations in imported fuels.
The initiatives being discussed also have wider economic importance as energy supply is critical for economic development and growth.
A Broader India-Sri Lanka Energy Partnership
These two projects do not stand alone.
Other areas which have been looked into include discussions on supplying LNG, developing offshore wind farms in the Palk Strait and making Trincomalee a center for energy logistics involving India, Sri Lanka and the UAE.
It is clear that energy collaboration between the two nations is no longer limited to traditional electricity generation but has diversified to include renewable energy, transmission lines, fuel supplies and even logistics.
What’s Next?
Implementation remains the biggest challenge.
HVDC requires further technical, financial, regulatory and construction arrangements before becoming a reality.
As for the solar plant, it has already reached an important milestone with the issue of Phase-I EPC tender in 2026. At the same time, transmission infrastructure in Sampur is being constructed as well to accommodate future renewable energy generation.
The speed of completion of these projects will determine when the proposed energy corridor will start delivering results.
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Conclusion
India-Sri Lanka energy cooperation is now shifting from broad agreements to actual infrastructure.
The Sampur solar power plant is designed to increase renewable energy production in Sri Lanka. The planned HVDC power link would create a new means of trading electricity between India and Sri Lanka.
When combined with improvements to the transmission network and the broader plans for renewable energy and a regional energy hub in Trincomalee, such projects have the potential to transform the energy relationship between the two countries.
For Sri Lanka, the goal is energy security and increased capacity of renewables. For India, it is about enhanced regional connectivity and yet another form of cross-border power cooperation.
There is more to the India-Sri Lanka energy partnership than the exchange of electricity. The combination of the Sampur solar power project, improved transmission and the planned HVDC power link points to a larger regional energy network.
