Energy

Total Money Spent on Energy (Renewable & Non-Renewable)

Sri Lanka used clean energy (solar, wind, water, and biomass) and non-renewable energy (coal and oil) to produce electricity in 2015. The government tried to use more renewable energy without raising the cost of electricity.

• Total electricity produced: 13,206.8 GWh

• Coal & oil: 51%

• Big hydro (water dams): 37%

• Renewable energy (small hydro, wind, solar, biomass): 11% (target was 10%)

• *Cost of electricity:

• Water power (hydro): LKR 1.70 per unit (lowest)

• Coal power: LKR 7.33 per unit

• Solar, wind, biomass: LKR 17.06 per unit

• Oil power: LKR 29.82 per unit (highest)

• Average cost: LKR 10.24 per unit (lower than 2014)

Big Energy Projects in 2015

• Hydropower (Water Power)

• Uma Oya Project (120 MW) – To be completed by 2017, producing more clean electricity.

• Small hydro schemes – New small dams to add more clean power.

• Wind Power

• Mannar Wind Scheme (100 MW) – To start in 2017.

• Government approved other wind schemes (100 MW).

• Solar Power

• Solar panels were encouraged to be placed on rooftops.

• Some large solar schemes were planned, but delayed to start.

• Coal Power

Trincomalee Coal Power Station (500 MW) – Planned in 2016, to come by 2020.

Coal was still crucial, but not good for the environment.

Problems:

•  Continued to use a lot of expensive oil for energy.

•  Big solar projects trailed behind.

•  Financial problems in the energy sector.

Amount of Money Spent on Energy

Sri Lanka used renewable energy (solar, wind, water, and biomass) and non-renewable energy (coal and oil) to produce electricity in 2016. The government was focused on increasing clean energy and lowering the cost of electricity.

Renewable energy (solar, wind, small hydro, biomass): 1,169 GWh added to the electricity grid.

Non-renewable energy (coal and oil): Still used to meet high energy demand.

• Large Energy Projects in 2016

• Hydropower (Water Power)

• 170 small hydro projects produced 340 MW of electricity.

• Wind Power

• 15 wind power projects produced 128.45 MW of electricity.

• Solar Power

• 5 solar power projects produced 21.36 MW of electricity.

• Biomass Energy

• 9 biomass projects produced 28.6 MW of electricity.

Did Sri Lanka Save Energy & Use More Clean Energy?

Sri Lanka performed well in 2016:

•  Greater renewable energy was added to the electricity grid.

•  The government had a National Energy Plan to support clean energy.

•  The new policy encouraged energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

Issues:

• The power grid was not ready for more clean energy.

•  Coal and oil were still consumed because renewable energy was not adequate.

•  More investment was required for huge solar and wind projects.

Money Spent on Energy (Renewable & Non-Renewable)

Sri Lanka spent more money on coal and oil in 2017 because water energy (hydropower) was lower due to lesser rains. The government tried to harness more solar power and wind power in an effort to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.

Renewable Energy: Greater focus on solar and wind power to promote clean energy.

Non-Renewable Energy: More coal and oil were used because of low hydropower production.

Large Energy Projects in 2017

Solar Power

"Soorya Bala Sangramaya" (Battle for Solar Energy) initiative encouraged rooftop solar panels for homes and businesses.

• More people started utilizing solar power.

• Wind Power

• The government came up with bigger wind farms to increase electricity from wind.

• Hydropower (Water Power)

• Less rainfall reduced hydropower production, making it harder to meet energy needs.

Did Sri Lanka Save Energy

Sri Lanka attempted clean energy in 2017 but was confronted with obstacles:

•  More people installed solar panels on rooftops.

• The government had a vision of 100% clean energy by 2050.

Money Spent on Energy (Renewable & Non-Renewable)

• During 2018, Sri Lanka aimed to use more clean energy (such as solar and wind) to lessen the consumption of coal and oil. The government also tried installing solar power facilities in public venues.

• Renewable Energy: Money was spent on solar energy initiatives, including solar panels on hospitals and government buildings.

• Non-Renewable Energy: Although renewable energy was on the rise, oil and coal were still essential to produce electricity.

Large Energy Projects in 2018

Solar Power

• The Soorya Bala Sangramaya project encouraged people to fit solar panels on roofs.

• More hospitals and government offices were provided with solar panels to save energy.

• Wind Power

• The government planned to build more wind farms in the future.

• Hydropower (Water Power)

• Hydropower continued to provide electricity, but it depended on rain. The more rain they had, the more water was present for making power.

Energy Spending (Renewable & Non-Renewable)

• During 2019, Sri Lanka invested in both clean energy like solar and wind and fossil fuel like coal and petroleum. The government focused on the increase in the utilization of solar power and improvement in energy efficiency.

• Renewable Energy: It has spent money on solar energy programs, mainly for installing solar panels on the structures of the government like hospitals.

• Non-Renewable Energy: Even as renewable energy was on the rise, the country still depended on coal and oil to generate electricity.

Large Energy Projects in 2019

Solar Power

• Soorya Bala Sangramaya continued to encourage people to place solar panels on rooftops.

• Other government buildings like hospitals got solar panels installed.

• Wind Power

• The government made plans to build more wind farms to generate electricity from wind on a mass scale.

• Hydropower (Water Power)/Hydropower was also an important source of energy, but decreased rainfall made it harder to rely on water power.

Problems:

• Fewer rains affected hydropower.

• Coal and oil remained utilized by the nation as sources of energy.

Energy Spending on Renewable & Non-Renewable Energy

• Sri Lanka, in 2020, was also concentrating on clean energy (solar and wind) and utilized fossil fuels (coal and oil) for energy as well. The government spent money on solar energy schemes to reduce the consumption of coal and oil.

• Renewable Energy: Solar power was funded by the government, placing solar panels on government buildings like hospitals.

• Non-Renewable Energy: Though renewable energy picked up, coal and oil were still needed to produce electricity.

Big Energy Projects in 2020

Solar Power

• The Soorya Bala Sangramaya project inspired even more people and businesses to employ solar panels on rooftops.

• More public buildings, like hospitals, had solar panels placed on them to save energy.

• Wind Power

• The government planned more wind farms to produce more energy from wind.

• Hydropower (Water Power)

• Hydropower was still vital for the production of electricity but was threatened by reduced rainfall.

Energy Spending

1. Sri Lanka in 2021 tried to use more clean energy (e.g., solar and wind) but still needed coal and oil to power it. The government was planning to derive 70% of power from renewable energy by 2030.

2. Renewable Energy: The government spent money on solar, wind, and water power (hydropower). More solar panels were put on buildings.

3. Non-Renewable Energy: Oil and coal were also utilized since the country needed more electricity.

Major Energy Projects in 2021

Solar Power

The Soorya Bala Sangramaya project enabled the construction of more solar panels on buildings' rooftops.

1. Large solar farms were suggested to produce more electricity.

2. Wind Power

3. More wind power plants were suggested for Mannar and Pooneryn.

4. Wind power was an important factor in the future of Sri Lanka's clean energy.

5. Hydropower (Water Power)

6. Hydropower was harnessed but created problems as there was less rain.

7. Existing hydropower plants were renovated by the government.

Did Sri Lanka Save Energy & Use More Clean Energy?

• More clean energy and solar and wind power were used.

•  The government geared up for increased clean energy in the future.

Challenges:

•  There were power outages because there was high energy usage.

•  Lack of funds for major clean energy projects.

What Should Sri Lanka Do Next?

• Add more solar and wind power plants to use less coal and oil.

• Improve energy storage to avoid power shortages.

• Upgrade the electric grid to harness more clean energy.

• Encourage private companies to invest in renewable energy.

Conclusion

In 2021, Sri Lanka kept expanding the utilization of clean energy, but power cuts and shortages of money hindered the pace. There should be more investment in solar, wind, and water power for a brighter energy future

Budget Allocation Trends:

• Renewable Energy: The government has progressively invested more funds in renewable energy projects with a vision to achieve 70% of electricity generation through renewable means by 2030.

• Non-Renewable Energy: Despite the strategic shift towards renewables, investments in non-renewable energy continue to ensure energy security during the transition process.

Large-Scale Energy Projects and Impacts:

• Solar Power: Initiatives like the "Soorya Bala Sangramaya" have promoted rooftop solar installations, with consistent growth of solar power capacity.

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• Wind Power: Priority has been accorded to Mannar and Pooneryn projects, with a number of wind power stations connected to the national grid, boosting the country's wind energy output. ​

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• Hydropower: Hydropower remains a significant source of energy, though its development is limited by environmental considerations and uncertainty of water supply.​

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Achievements

The power industry has been registering considerable improvement in the introduction of renewable energy to the national grid with the aid of policies of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority. However, fund requirements and technology upgradation challenges exist.​

Potential and Recommendations for the Future:

• Diversify Energy Mix: Continue to invest in a diversified mix of sources of renewable energy in order to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy.

• Improve Grid Infrastructure: Enhance the national grid to facilitate the interconnecting of more renewable energy sources.​

• Increase Private Sector Investment: Invite private sector investment for renewable energy schemes through incentives and policies.​

• Enhance Policy Frameworks: Implement and impose effective energy policies in support of sustainable development and energy efficiency.

Energy Money Spent

• In 2023, Sri Lanka attempted to harness more clean energy like solar, wind, and water energy. The government wanted 70% of electricity to be produced from renewable energy by 2030.

• Renewable Energy: More money was invested in solar, wind, and hydropower projects.

• Non-Renewable Energy: Some money was still invested in coal and oil for an adequate supply of electricity.

• Major Energy Projects in 2023

Solar Power

• Solar power grew from 1.36 MW in 2011 to 951.36 MW in 2023.

• The Soorya Bala Sangramaya program enabled greater utilization of rooftop solar panels.

• Wind Power

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• More wind power plants were built in Mannar and Pooneryn.

• Wind power served the national grid and produced more renewable energy.

• Hydropower (Water Power)

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• Hydropower was still used but was affected by changing rainfall patterns.

• The government refurbished older hydropower plants to allow them to work more effectively.

Did Sri Lanka Save Energy & Use More Clean Energy?

• More than half (54%) of electricity came from hydropower, solar, and wind.

• The government planned more clean energy projects.

Challenges:

•  Power cuts persisted because of high demand for electricity.

• Insufficient funds for big-scale renewable energy projects.

Money Spent on Energy

In 2024, Sri Lanka continued to use more clean energy like solar, wind, and water power. The government planned that 70% of the country's electricity should be generated by renewable energy by 2030.

Major Energy Projects in 2024

Solar Power

• Solar power also grew tremendously during the years.

• The Soorya Bala Sangramaya scheme motivated more people to install solar panels on roofs.

• Wind Power

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• More wind power plants were set up at Mannar and Pooneryn.

• Wind power supplied additional electricity to the national grid.

• Hydropower (Water Power)

Hydropower remained among the primary energy sources.

Some of the challenges were decreased rainfall and environmental problems.

Did Sri Lanka Have More Clean Energy?

• 60% was electricity generated from hydropower, wind, and solar.

•  The government invested more in renewable energy projects.

Challenges:

•  Consumption of electricity was high, causing some power blackouts.

• There had to be additional funds for major renewable energy projects.

Budget Plans

Energy EfficieRenewable Energy: More funds are being allocated to clean energy initiatives. The country is looking to double its electricity production from 4,043 MW to 6,900 MW by 2025.

• Non-Renewable Energy: Some money is still being spent on coal and oil to ensure a stable supply of electricity during the transition.

• Major Energy Projects

• Solar Power: Sri Lanka plans to install 1,000 MW of solar power by 2025. This includes large solar farms and rooftop solar under the "Soorya Bala Sangramaya" program.

• Wind Power: Wind schemes are in progress in Mannar and Pooneryn. The Adani Group of India withdrew from two major wind schemes recently, though.

• Hydropower: Hydropower remains strong, with efforts to maintain existing plants and improve them.

ncy and Sustainability

Sri Lanka will generate more electricity from renewable resources by 2025, reducing pollution and conserving the environment.

Future Plans

• Use Alternative Energy Sources: Invest in many forms of renewable energy.

• Improve Power Infrastructure: Upgrade the power grid to deliver more electricity.

• Encourage Private Investment: Inspire companies to invest in clean energy.

• Strengthen Policies: Create solid policies to support renewable energy and efficiency.