Sri Lanka is set to explore its first canal-top solar power project, with a 5-megawatt (MW) pilot project planned over the Viyana Canal in Mahiyanganaya.
According to the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), the initial phase will involve installing solar panels across approximately five kilometres of the canal.
Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyarathna and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka reviewed progress on the proposed project at a meeting held at the Parliament complex on Wednesday (09).
The meeting followed a preliminary field inspection conducted along the Viyana Canal on July 20. Officials reviewed the findings of the inspection and discussed the feasibility studies and other preliminary steps required to advance the project.
Minister Vidyarathna said placing solar panels over canals could facilitate renewable energy generation without requiring large areas of land for conventional solar power plants.
“This provides an opportunity to generate renewable energy while protecting land resources,” he said.
Minister Karunathilaka noted that canal-top solar technology is already being implemented in several countries and said authorities are currently assessing its suitability and feasibility for Sri Lanka.
The Viyana Canal, which stretches for more than 20 kilometres, has been identified as a potential site due to its width and favourable sunlight conditions throughout much of the year.
The SLSEA estimates that approximately five kilometres of the canal would need to be covered with solar panels to generate the proposed 5 MW of electricity.
Authorities are also assessing the potential environmental impacts and financing requirements of the project before a decision is made on implementation.
If the pilot project is found to be viable, the Government plans to explore expanding solar generation along the Viyana Canal and identify other suitable canals across the country for similar renewable energy projects.
Representatives from the SLSEA, Ceylon Electricity Distribution Company, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka and Forest Conservation Department also participated in the discussions.
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