Sri Lanka Revokes Controversial Wind Power Deal with Adani Group

The Cabinet of Ministers, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has annulled a decision made in June last year under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to award a 484 MW wind power project in Mannar and Pooneryn to Adani Green Energy SL Ltd, Daily FT reported.
The project faced widespread criticism due to its high cost of 8.26 US cents per kilowatt hour, significantly exceeding the rates offered by local bidders, which were as low as 4.88 cents.
Environmental groups, including the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society and Environmental Foundation Ltd., opposed the initiative, citing inadequacies in the Environmental Impact Assessment and the potential threat to Mannar’s critical habitat for migratory birds.
The local community, represented by the Bishop of Mannar, also protested the project, highlighting its potential harm to industries and livelihoods in the region.
During his election campaign, President Dissanayake vowed to cancel the controversial deal and ensure international tenders are called for developing wind energy in Sri Lanka. Consistent with this promise, the Cabinet, on December 30, formally revoked the previous decision to award the project to Adani Green Energy.