The Cabinet’s approval of the Renewable Energy Resources Development Plan 2025–2030 marks a significant policy milestone in Sri Lanka’s long-term energy transition. The framework sets out an ambitious target of meeting 70 percent of national electricity demand through renewable energy sources by 2030, while aligning the power sector with the country’s broader commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The plan was submitted to the Cabinet by Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody and developed by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) in accordance with the National Policy on Renewable Energy and statutory obligations under the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Act of 2007.
The legislation mandates the preparation of a long-term renewable energy development roadmap, positioning the newly approved plan as both a policy requirement and a strategic response to growing energy security concerns.
According to Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the plan focuses on three core pillars of renewable energy development. These include the identification and prioritisation of suitable land for projects, the establishment of a structured implementation timeline, and the advancement of a comprehensive Renewable Energy Map to guide future investments. The proposal also introduces the concept of Renewable Energy Gardens centralised zones designed to streamline project development and grid connectivity.
A notable feature of the plan is the inclusion of floating solar panel projects, aimed at diversifying generation sources while reducing pressure on land availability. This reflects a growing recognition of land scarcity and competing land-use demands, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas.
From a policy standpoint, the framework is intended to bring greater coordination to renewable energy deployment, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and strengthen energy security amid volatile global fuel markets. Supporters argue that a clearly defined roadmap could also improve investor confidence by offering greater clarity on timelines, locations, and government priorities.
However, analysts note that the plan’s success will depend heavily on execution capacity, grid readiness, and regulatory consistency. Sri Lanka’s renewable ambitions have previously faced delays due to grid congestion, procurement bottlenecks, and shifting policy signals. Without parallel investments in transmission infrastructure and institutional coordination, the scale of expansion envisioned may prove difficult to achieve within the stated timeframe.
Nonetheless, the Cabinet’s approval represents a clear political endorsement of a renewables-led energy future. If implemented effectively, the plan could reshape Sri Lanka’s electricity mix, lower long-term generation costs, and anchor the country’s climate commitments within a structured policy framework.
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