Sri Lanka's renewable energy dilemma: Choosing the right path forward

THE recent article published, 7 May 2025 in Daily FT Sri Lanka, under the title "Wind power: Essential element of renewable energy mix for Sri Lanka," shared by Mayura Botejue (a.k.a. 'MB'), makes a passionate case for the primacy of wind in Sri Lanka's renewable energy transition.

- Hiran Daluwatta

While MB certainly raises some valid points "in general" however, on the other hand, his well-written piece clearly omits critical nuances required for a holistic understanding of not only Sri Lanka's energy but most importantly the economic, agricultural, and ecological realities of an island where over a third of Sri Lankans are still deprived of basic needs even in 2025 as per the recent World Bank report issued.

It is important to understand, Sri Lanka's path forward with "renewable energy" must be based not just on potential megawatts or the immediate FDI monetary value the Government would receive to the country through local projects initiations as a short-term quick fix to increase foreign reserves in the country, but rather on long-term practical integration, socio-economic synergy, environmental preservation, climate resilience and most importantly the sustainability of these projects impacting the overall livelihoods and wellbeing of the present as well as future generations to come.

In this context, Noteworthy Global coming from a team of international professionals with ancestral Sri Lankan roots stands firm in unity on our ground on the value preposition we bring with regard to the wellbeing of Sri Lankan Future presenting the Sri Lankan Government - solar power predominantly through "Agrivoltaic Systems" to provide a more feasible, equitable, and sustainable path than wind with the currently on-going discussions with ministerial officials in Sri Lanka on the same.

1. Wind power in Sri Lanka: Not without complications and long-term impacts