Sri Lanka Launches First Project in 300MW Solar Power Programme
Sri Lanka has taken a significant step toward expanding renewable energy with the launch of the first project under a nationwide programme designed to add 300 megawatts (MW) of solar power to the national electricity grid.
The 3MW ground-mounted solar power project, located in Veyangoda, was inaugurated on Sunday by Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka. The facility marks the beginning of a series of solar developments planned across the country as Sri Lanka works to strengthen its renewable energy capacity.
The government says the 300MW programme is aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels while increasing the contribution of renewable sources to electricity generation. Private-sector investment is also being encouraged in selected projects as part of the broader effort to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy.
The Veyangoda solar facility is equipped with 640-watt bifacial solar panels. Unlike conventional panels, bifacial technology can capture sunlight from both sides, potentially improving electricity generation from the available land area.
According to government estimates, the 3MW facility is expected to generate approximately 6.35 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year for the national grid. It is also projected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 4,340 tonnes annually, highlighting the environmental benefits of expanding solar generation.
Sri Lanka has set an ambitious target of meeting 70% of its energy requirements through renewable sources by 2030. The country also aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Expanding solar power is expected to play an important role in reaching these long-term goals, alongside other renewable energy sources.
However, increasing renewable generation will require corresponding improvements to the country’s electricity infrastructure. The government says upgrades to the national grid are already under way to ensure that it can accommodate a larger share of renewable power as new solar projects and other clean-energy facilities come online.
The launch of the Veyangoda project therefore represents more than the addition of 3MW to Sri Lanka’s electricity system. It is the first step in a much larger 300MW solar programme that could help reduce fuel-import costs, lower emissions and move the country closer to its renewable energy and carbon-neutrality targets.
