Sri Lanka's energy crisis: The future - Part I

The relevant energy technology mix for Sri Lanka at present is indigenous large hydro & mini-hydro systems, biomass, solar farms and solar PV on roof tops, wind and imported fossil fuels.

- Authors: Emeritus Professor I.M. Dharmadasa; Emeritus Professor Lakshman Dissanayake; Emeritus Professor Oliver Ileperuma; Professor Wijendra Bandara; Ms Nilmini Roelens; Mr Saroj Pathirana; Professor Chulananda Gunasekara; Eng. Parakrama Jayasinghe; Dr Keerthi Devendra; Dr Geewananda Gunawardana; Dr Lakmal Fernando; Dr Vidhura Ralapanawa; Dr. Ajith Weerasinghe.

Sri Lanka is very vulnerable to climate change and made international commitments in relation to an energy transition towards 100% zero Carbon technologies by 2050.

The national electricity grid should be upgraded in a phased manner to absorb more renewables which are freely available and move towards achieving a smart grid.

Current efforts should also be focused on rapid expansion of renewable applications and gradual reduction of the use of imported, expensive and polluting fossil fuels. Other energy solutions such as nuclear are highly inappropriate, unaffordable and dangerous for Sri Lanka.

A phased move towards a smart grid will enable Sri Lanka to produce the future energy carrier, green hydrogen, using excess renewables, and becoming independent and secure as an energy exporting country. Sri Lanka should not miss the green hydrogen revolution and must not regress by remaining dependent on imports of globally dwindling fossil fuel with its environmental and geopolitical risks.

1.0 Introduction

The national electricity grid in Sri Lanka has been failing several times recently, plunging the entire country into darkness, with six countrywide blackouts during the past five years.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) attributes the instability to an outdated grid that cannot accommodate small-scale renewable energy providers. This was proven to be a false premise according to their own committee of investigation. However, the CEB has issued press releases calling for the shutting down of both rooftop solar systems and mini-hydro systems during festive periods, when the demand for power is lower, the implication being that micro-renewable energy is somehow the cause of the problem.