Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake has told Parliament that the proposed electric train project will require a significant amount of electricity and could become one of Sri Lanka’s largest electricity consumers in the future.
The Minister said discussions are currently underway with the Ministry of Energy on meeting the project’s substantial electricity requirements.
He noted that the electric train project is among several major initiatives being considered that could utilise a significant share of the country’s increased electricity generation.
Rathnayake also said Sri Lanka needs to develop industries and other large-scale projects capable of using additional electricity production. Otherwise, the country could face the need to export surplus electricity.
He added that the Government is focusing on renewable energy sources to support major projects such as the proposed electric train system.
