Sydney company signs for 150MW solar manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka

A Sydney-based solar consultancy, Energy Puzzle Group, has signed an agreement with the Sri Lanka government to build a US$190 million ($A210 million) solar PV manufacturing plant in the south of the country.

The plant will manufacturer solar cells and panels, with a capacity of up to 150MW a year in the initial stages. The modules will be sold into the domestic market as well as used for export into the Asia market.

The agreement was signed in Colombo last Friday, with the plant expected to begin manufacturing in the first quarter of 2015.

Energy Puzzle director Patrick Featherson told a local newspaper that the company hoped to employ around 150 staff, a mixture of Sri Lankans and Australias, and would look to expand in 2016.

“Once Phase One is up and operational, based on demand they would look at expanding not only in solar panels, but will also move into energy storage and other renewables as well, R&D and software development,” he said.

“This is why we secured enough land to expand. We hope the second phase will begin around mid 2016.”

Energy Puzzle engages in consultancy services to governments on energy policies as well as deployment and use of renewable energies and education. “We also do development, large-scale solar and wind energy parks, and provide financial advice to renewable energy projects and companies,”
Featherston said.

The site at Hambantota has access to a deep water port, and tax breaks. The company that owns the plant could also be listd on the Colombo Stock Exchange.