By: Staff Writer

March 11, Colombo (LNW): On January 30, 2025, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) hosted a significant workshop focused on advancing renewable energy (RE) in Sri Lanka’s power sector.

The event brought together experts and officials from across the country’s energy landscape, including representatives from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Lanka Electricity Company (LECO), Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), and private sector developers.

The discussions centered around achieving the national goal of reaching 70% renewable energy for power generation by 2030, and a zero-emission energy economy by 2050.

The ADB experts expressed strong confidence in Sri Lanka’s ability to meet the 70% target, highlighting the country’s significant progress and the feasibility of this goal.

However, the state sector agencies, including the CEB, appeared more skeptical, even questioning the practicality of the national policy.

This contrast raises concerns about the lack of vision or possible internal challenges within the state agencies tasked with the country’s energy transition.

A key issue raised was the CEB’s view on the current state of Sri Lanka’s renewable energy capacity.

 Historically, the country depended almost entirely on hydropower for electricity, but this share has now dropped to around 50%, partly due to over-reliance on imported fossil fuels like oil and coal. Critics argue that this shift has placed unnecessary pressure on the country’s balance of payments and failed to explore more sustainable renewable sources such as mini-hydro and biomass.

 Despite the availability of abundant indigenous renewable resources, the CEB’s reluctance to embrace the transition to renewable energy remains a major concern.

On the other hand, the private sector, particularly small and medium-scale enterprises and rooftop solar developers, has shown notable progress.

Initiatives like the feed-in tariff for Non-Conventional Renewable Energy (NCRE) and the Surya Bala Sangramaya (SBS) program under the SLSEA have enabled rapid growth in the renewable energy sector. Solar photovoltaics (PV) have seen exponential growth, now contributing 25% of the current installed grid capacity and over 11% of the annual electricity demand.

 This demonstrates that with the right policies, Sri Lanka can close the gap in renewable energy generation, particularly during dry months when hydroelectric power production dips.

However, state sector representatives continue to argue that solar and wind energy’s variability poses a significant challenge.

The CEB chairman’s presentation highlighted concerns about the intermittency of solar power, referencing the Hambantota Solar Project. Yet, international experience and local research indicate that combining multiple renewable energy plants across diverse geographical locations can mitigate these issues, making renewables more reliable.

Moreover, the CEB has been slow to capitalize on proven technologies that could enhance the integration of renewables into the grid. For example, grid-scale battery storage, despite its current high costs, has become a viable solution in many parts of the world, including neighboring India. Yet, the CEB has not shown significant interest in exploring these options, hindering progress toward the 70% renewable energy target.

The Sri Lankan government must take a stronger stance, assigning clear responsibility for achieving the renewable energy goals and ensuring accountability. The lack of coordination and reluctance to adopt new technologies have delayed the realization of the country’s renewable energy potential.

It is time for the government and state agencies like the CEB to embrace renewable energy fully, for the benefit of the nation and its people. The private sector, consumers, and developers are ready to contribute without burdening the state budget, but the CEB must overcome its hesitation and adopt a forward-looking approach.