EDITORIAL

Engineering a Sustainable Energy Future for Sri Lanka

At a time when our country is going through serious economic challenges and key reforms in the energy sector are being discussed, the need for a sustainable and resilient energy future has become more critical than ever. With rising energy costs, climate-related risks, and growing demand, engineers now have a critical role in leading this transformation.

Today, Sri Lanka still depends on fossil fuels for nearly 45% of our electricity needs. In 2023 alone, we spent over USD 1.2 billion on fuel imports just to keep the power running. At the same time, hydropower, our biggest local energy source, has become somewhat less reliable due to changing rainfall patterns caused by climate change.

Despite the uncertainty in economic growth, both the total net generation growth rate and the peak demand growth rate are forecast to be around 5%. The government’s goal to reach 70% renewable energy by 2030 is ambitious, but it’s not impossible. However, overcoming the technical barriers that hinder this transition requires appropriate engineering solutions, emphasizing the critical role engineers must play in this endeavour. Achieving it will require strong engineering leadership and collaboration across sectors. According to the latest statistics, in Sri Lanka, solar power accounts for 27% of the total installed electricity capacity, while wind contributes 4.8%. That shows how much work is ahead, but also the big opportunity we have. It’s also important to remember that most of the hydropower potential has already been used.

The progress appeared to be slowed by delays in approvals, weak grid infrastructure, and limited support for research and innovation. We must also help shape policies, improve project delivery, and connect with communities to build trust and understanding. The involvement of IESL in the power sector policy reforms is a progressive move. In addition, as engineers, we need to do more than provide technical solutions. We must also explore emerging approaches such as integrating virtual inertia through battery or supercapacitor-based energy storage systems.

Energy resilience is not just about the environment anymore, it’s about our economy and national security. Fluctuations in fossil fuel prices are directly transmitted across all economic sectors, undermining their stable and sustainable functioning. We need smarter energy grids, more use of solar and wind at local levels, energy-efficient buildings, and stronger public awareness. Planning must also include designs that can handle disasters and future climate risks.

In this issue of SLEN, we invite all our members to think about how they can contribute. Whether you work in government, private industry, or academia, your role matters. Let’s lead with expertise, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to Sri Lanka’s future.

Eng. Suran Fernando
Editor, SLEN
suran.fernando@gmail.com
editor.slen@iesl.lk