To partner with Electricity Board for forward agreement
China’s J. J. Construction is planning to manufacture solar panels in Sri Lanka from mid 2017.
J. J. Construction Chairman, J. J. Lee told Daily News Business that they see a great demand for solar panels and they see this as a viable investment.
The company has already invested US$ 30 million for the first purpose built Chinese five star hotel, Jie Jie Beach opened in early January in Panadura. This is also Sri Lanka’s first solar powered hotel and also constructed by Chinese engineers.
This is a joint venture with White Heaven Hotels, Panadura.He said that their parent company set up early in 1980’s in now an international construction company and have built many skyscrapers. “We were also involved in the building of the Beijing Olympics Stadium.”
He said that Jie Jie Beach was their first overseas as well as leisure sector investment. “The experience in getting into Sri Lanka was very pleasing and this was one of the main reasons for us to look at reinvesting in Sri Lanka.”
He said that they are keen to import all the raw material and manufacture solar panels in Sri Lanka. “We will also look at re exports to neighbouring countries from Sri Lanka.”
He said Sri Lankan authorities have now realised the importance of solar and they hope to come to a forward agreement with the Sri Lanka Electricity Board. “We hope to invest around US$ 60 million for the factory and will employ over 100 Sri Lankans supervised by Chinese engineers.”
He said that his JV partner White Heaven Hotel Panadura Chairman Sunil Silva has already identified a 25 acre land to put up a factory. “We hope to get the approvals from BOI soon.”
He said that they are upbeat of the Sri Lankan tourism sector and is planning to build three more hotels. Lee said that the Jie Jie hotel is a success story of the implementation of solar energy and will use solar for all their future endeavours.”
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