September 11, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is preparing for a major expansion of renewable energy and electricity storage, with more than 2,700 megawatts of additional capacity expected to come online between 2027 and 2029.
Power and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament on Thursday that the planned additions include 1,392 megawatts of solar generation, 370 megawatts from wind projects and a further 1,000 megawatts through battery storage facilities.
The Government’s plans come as electricity production from rooftop solar systems continues to grow rapidly. Around 2,500 megawatts is currently being generated through rooftop installations, reflecting the increasing contribution of households and other small-scale producers to the country’s energy supply.
However, the growing share of solar power is also creating challenges for grid management. Electricity demand tends to fall sharply on Sundays and public holidays, while solar generation can remain high during daylight hours. This can result in periods when supply exceeds immediate demand.
Karunathilaka said temporary restrictions on solar generation may therefore be necessary at certain times to protect the stability of the national grid.
The Government expects large-scale battery storage to provide a longer-term solution. Under the proposed approach, excess electricity produced during periods of strong daytime solar generation could be stored and released into the grid after sunset, when demand typically rises.
Officials believe the combination of new renewable projects and storage capacity could allow Sri Lanka to make greater use of locally produced clean energy while reducing the amount of renewable electricity that has to be curtailed during periods of low demand.
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