Sri Lanka, together with Australia, was elected by acclamation to the post of Vice President of the Standing Committee (Asia–Pacific Group) during the Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly held in New Delhi on 04 November 2024. By virtue of this post, Sri Lanka will also be the Chair of the Regional Committee (Asia-Pacific Group) for 2025–2026.
During the session, India was elected to the ISA Presidency, with France as the post Co-President. The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) was accorded the ISA Partner Organisation Status.
The ISA Assembly is an annual international conference to promote global solar transformation. It serves as a platform for stakeholders of government, industry, academia, and NGOs to deliberate on advocacy, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and financing in achieving optimal level of solar energy capacity.
Delivering the country statement on behalf of Sri Lanka, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi Priyanga Wickramasinghe thanked ISA member states for their support and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to the progress of ISA’s agenda. Being the incumbent Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Sri Lanka also recorded the appreciation for according Partner Organisation Status to IORA.
The Deputy High Commissioner recalled the pledge of the Government of Sri Lanka to achieve 70% of its electricity requirement from renewable energy sources by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality in electricity generation by 2050. She highlighted that Sri Lanka has identified several key regions with significant potential for renewable energy development, particularly in the Northern, Eastern, and Southern provinces, which are earmarked for large-scale wind and solar projects. Reference was made to the 100MW Siyambalanduwa solar project being currently underway.
The ISA is an intergovernmental organisation for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for energy access, energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries. Sri Lanka ratified the Framework Agreement of the ISA in 2018, becoming a founding member. The Ministry of Energy of Sri Lanka serves as the focal point for the ISA.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
New Delhi
07 November 2024
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Full statement of Sri Lanka delivered at the Assembly :
Seventh Session of the Assembly of the International Solar Alliance
04 November 2024, New Delhi
Agenda Item: 26
High – Level Segment: Intervention by the Head of the Delegation: Sri Lanka
Good afternoon, Mr. President, the Co-President, the Director General, and distinguished delegates.
At the outset, allow me to congratulate the newly elected President from India, the Co-President from France of the ISA. We are confident that under their able leadership the ISA will be able to achieve greater heights.
We also wish to extend warm felicitations to Mr. Ashish Khanna on his appointment as the new Director General of the ISA. His vast experience in the field of energy and in particular in solar will, no doubt, benefit the organization in realizing its stated goals. May I also take this opportunity to express Sri Lanka's sincere appreciation to outgoing DG Dr. Ajay Mathur for his invaluable contribution, guidance and cooperation.
As the newly elected Vice-President of the Standing Committee of the Asia-Pacific Group, and also Chair of the Asia-Pacific Regional Committee for 2025–2026, Sri Lanka wishes to thank all the member states for their support and remains committed to cooperate with them and the Secretariat in progressing ISA’s extensive agenda.
Further, Sri Lanka, being Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) wishes to record the appreciation of the organisation for according Partner Organisation Status with ISA to IORA and looks forward to this constructive partnership.
Mr. President,
The Government of Sri Lanka is steadfast in achieving 70% of its electricity requirement from renewable energy (RE) sources by 2030. This pledge aligns with the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, which also includes achieving carbon neutrality in electricity generation by 2050. This policy obligates that no additional capacity of unabated coal power plants will be added, underscoring the strategic shift towards renewable energy sources.
Sri Lanka's NDCs reflect its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a sustainable energy future. The updated NDCs include a target of achieving 5% carbon emission reduction on a voluntary basis and 20% on conditional basis. This commitment involves substantial reductions in GHG emissions of electricity generation.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka has also identified several key regions with significant potential for renewable energy development, particularly in the Northern, Eastern, and Southern provinces, which are earmarked for large-scale wind and solar projects. As a tropical country blessed with sunshine year-round, Sri Lanka has enormous potential for solar energy. The 100MW Siyambalanduwa solar project in the central hills of Sri Lanka is currently underway. Floating solar projects have attracted wide attention in the recent past. Looking ahead, Sri Lanka has identified 1000MW renewable energy resources for grid connection beyond 2025, which include four floating solar projects in the range of 50MW–100 MW to be built on major reservoirs of Sri Lanka.
Mr. President,
The Ministry of Energy of Sri Lanka, which is the focal point is ready to collaborate with ISA to facilitate the solar deployment in Sri Lanka through, knowledge sharing, technological advancements, and investment opportunities, further accelerating the country's transition to a greener energy future. The work is in progress for the proposed Country Partnership Framework by the ISA, which aims to enhance capacity building, floating solar opportunities, recycling initiatives, and green financing. Furthermore, collaboration is also in progress with ISA to distribute solar applications for rural livelihood projects, including floating solar projects, mini-grids, pumping, and cold storage.
Additionally, Sri Lanka is looking forward to cooperating with the ISA in establishing a Solar Technology and Application Resource-Centre (STAR-C) at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka’s lead State university for engineering. Under the said proposal, the Centre will serve as a hub for research, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in solar technologies, in addition to supporting the skills development to support the solar deployment of the country.
Thank you, Mr. President.
