Sri Lanka Reaffirms Renewable Energy Ambitions at Ninth Session of the International Solar Alliance

Sri Lanka reiterated its target of generating 70 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 at the International Solar Alliance’s ninth assembly in New Delhi, according to the Sri Lankan High Commission in India. Deputy Energy Minister Arkam Ilyas also restated the goal of making electricity generation carbon neutral by 2050.

Ilyas delivered Sri Lanka’s national statement at the assembly, which the High Commission said ran from 3 to 5 November alongside the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo. He outlined work on battery storage, charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and upgrades to the national grid as part of the transition. He also cited green hydrogen among the areas Sri Lanka is exploring.

The Deputy Minister identified selected reservoirs as potential locations for floating solar projects and pointed to solar and wind opportunities in the Northern, Eastern and Southern regions. He referred to wind power development in Mannar and work to assess the country’s offshore wind potential.

On the sidelines of the assembly, Ilyas met Indian Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi to discuss integrating solar generation into the grid, storing energy and using solar power in agriculture. The talks also covered bringing the Solar Technology Application Resource Centre at the University of Moratuwa into operation. The centre is intended to build technical capacity for applying solar technologies.

The High Commission said Sri Lanka is working with the alliance on a digital system to facilitate approvals for solar projects, as well as on a national solar energy roadmap. It said the country has been a member since 2018 and served as chair of the alliance’s Asia and Pacific Regional Committee during 2025 and 2026. Delegates also discussed investment and training to support the next phase of international solar cooperation.