The proposed electric railway project will require a substantial amount of electricity and could become one of Sri Lanka’s largest future power consumers, Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament today.
Rathnayake said discussions were under way with the Ministry of Energy on meeting the project’s energy requirements, given the large amount of power that would be needed.
He said the electric railway project was among the major projects currently being considered that could utilise significant amounts of energy generated in the country.
The minister also said Sri Lanka would need to develop industries and other projects capable of utilising increased power generation, while surplus energy could otherwise have to be exported.
He said the Government was looking at renewable energy options to support large-scale projects such as the proposed electric railway. (Newswire)
