The Sri Lankan Government has announced that it is stepping up efforts to achieve 70 per cent renewable energy share in power generation by 2030, in partnership with private sector investments. Udaya Gammanpila, Energy Minister of Sri Lanka, has called for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from local and foreign investors to finance identified solar and wind power projects over 50 MW.
The Government said that to achieve the renewable energy target of 70 per cent by 2030, the existing solar capacity of 458 MW needs to be increased by an additional 4800 MW, and the current wind power capacity of 248 MW needs to be increased by another 3500 MW.
According to the Ceylon Electricity Board , the current total installed power generation capacity of the country is approximately 4265 MW. This consists of: 900 MW coal power; 1268 MW of oil-burning thermal power; 1383 MW of hydropower; and 714 MW of other renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass, and mini-hydro.