Wes Edens-led New Fortress Energy said it would continue with its LNG-to-power plans in Sri Lanka after the country’s Supreme Court dismissed the petitions opposing the development.
“Having considered the merits of all the fundamental rights petitions filed seeking to halt NFE’s development of natural gas power solutions in Sri Lanka, the Court fully dismissed the petitions without further hearing,” NFE said.
The US LNG firm and the government of Sri Lanka executed a definitive agreement in September last year under which NFE would invest in energy infrastructure in Sri Lanka and develop a new LNG import terminal off the coast of Colombo.
NFE previously said Sri Lanka’s first LNG terminal could begin operations in 2023.
As part of the deal, NFE will have gas supply rights to the Kerawalapitya Power Complex and will initially provide the government an estimated 1.2 million gallons per day of LNG, or about 35,000 MMBtu.
The firm would supply both the currently operational 310 MW Yugadanavi Power Plant and the 350 MW Sobadanavi Power Plant which should go online in 2023.
However, the definitive agreement remains subject to customary conditions.
Wes Edens, chairman and CEO of NFE, welcomed the decision by the Court. He said NFE can now proceed with the company’s plans to deliver “cleaner fuels and more reliable, affordable power to Sri Lanka.”
