The Eighth Meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Energy Working Group was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 25-26 August 2014 to discuss regional energy cooperation in South Asia. The meeting requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide technical assistance in the conduct of a regional transmission master plan study, including a detailed scenario on regional power transmission interconnections. These requests were endorsed by the SAARC Council of Ministers in February 2014. 

Mr. Priyantha Wijayatunga, Principal Energy Specialist at ADB’s South Asia Energy Division delivered a presentation on regional energy cooperation and related ADB interventions. SAARC member states also voiced appreciation for ADB support on SAARC projects.

The SAARC Energy Centre, Islamabad is one of the regional centers of SAARC. It is an intergovernmental body, mandated to promote cooperation in the energy sector in South Asia. SAARC Member States include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.