Oct 15, Colombo: Four islands off of Sri Lanka's Jaffna peninsula in the North will be fully electrified with a combined network of solar and wind power.

The Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka has revealed that the islands of Delft, Nainathivu (Nagadeepa), Analathivu and Elivathivu islands will be provided with solar and wind power to supplement the power needs currently fulfilled by thermal power.

Initial work on these power projects has already commenced and will be completed by the end of next year, the Minister has noted.

The Minsiter has added that the power requirements of the residents in these islands are currently met partially with thermal power and therefore, solar and wind power will overcome any power shortage to electrify the islands completely.

According to the Minister less than 50 percent of the families in these islands are provided with thermal power through diesel generators.

Currently only 22 percent, 28 percent, 45 percent and 55 percent families in Delft, Analativu, Elavativu and the Nainathivu (Nagadeepa) islands respectively receive thermal power and with the solar and wind power they could be provided with electricity completely.

The government of Korea will provide financial and technical assistance for the four islands to receive electricity supply through renewable energy sources by the end of 2013.

The power supply will benefit over 3,500 families in these islands.