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Government of Sri Lanka is aiming for an energy self-sufficient nation by 2030. The President has announced the country will be achieving 80% of its energy by renewables by 2030. In fact he made this public during his campaigning for the post by late 2019. Still the following has been published as the data available by Mid 2019.

The objective is to increase the power generation capacity of the country from the existing 4,043 MW to 6,900 MW by 2025 with maximum development in renewable energy.

Sri Lanka has already achieved a grid connectivity of 98 percent, which is commendable by South Asian standards.

Electricity in Sri Lanka is generated using three primary sources:  thermal power ( includes coal and fuel oil), hydropower, and other non-conventional renewable energy sources (solar power & wind).

The Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) actively promotes all forms of renewable energy.

In 2017, the total installed power generation capacity of the country was 4,043 MW, consisting of 900 MW of coal power, 1,215 MW of oil burning thermal power, 1,720 MW of hydropower and 208 MW of non-conventional renewable energy sources such as wind, mini hydro, biomass, and solar power plants. The annual total electricity demand is about 14,150 GWh. The annual demand for electricity is expected to increase by 6 to 8 percent, a number constrained by high prices.

In 2017, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka approved the Lowest Cost Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan with the aim of ensuring energy security. As per this plan, 240 MW of major hydro, 215 MW of mini hydro, 1,380 MW of solar, 1,205 MW of wind power and 4,800 MW of LNG will be added to the installed capacity between 2018 and 2037. However, continued differences of opinion between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the regulator threatens the implementation of power projects. Issues with the quality of power supply remains with the frequent breakdown of a Chinese-built coal power plant, rising fuel costs, and droughts. The government is considering proposals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facilities and a new oil refinery. The current oil refinery is over 45 years old and needs urgent modernization in order to meet the demand in the petroleum sector. The government is also having discussions with India and Japan to build new LNG power plants.

As of 2014

The Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) actively promotes all forms of renewable energy.

Leading Sub-Sectors


Power Generation PlantsOpportunities

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE POWER SECTOR INCLUDE: NEW POWER PLANTS, CONVERTING AUTO DIESEL-FIRED PLANTS TO DUAL FUEL (LIQUID NATURAL GAS) PLANTS, MINI HYDROELECTRICITY PLANTS, HOME SOLAR SYSTEMS, WIND ENERGY, ELECTRICAL METERS AND SWITCHES, POWER TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS, AND POWER CABLES.

SLSEA is actively promoting renewable energy options and statistics reveal renewable energy contribution is steadily increasing.  Sri Lanka has vast wind-energy resources due to its location in the Indian Ocean.  Already eleven wind power plants are connected to the national grid.  USAID has assessed wind and solar energy potential for Sri Lanka.  This information is available on www.nrel.gov.

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