In 2024, Sri Lanka's electricity consumption is balanced between low-carbon and fossil sources, with low-carbon power slightly tipping the scale at about 55%. This includes substantial contributions from hydropower, which generates more than a third of the electricity, solar energy contributing close to 14%, and a smaller portion, about 4%, coming from wind power. On the other hand, fossil fuels account for nearly 45% of the electricity mix. This composition highlights a significant reliance on clean energy, although there is still notable dependency on fossil energy, underscoring both progress and room for further development towards sustainable electricity generation in Sri Lanka.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, Energy Institute and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Sri Lanka?
Analyzing recent trends in Sri Lanka, there's a positive trajectory in electricity consumption as the 2024 figures indicate a growth to 818 kWh per person, surpassing the 2021 record by 48 kWh. Significantly, the share of low-carbon electricity has also seen an impressive increase from 381 kWh per person in 2021 to 451 kWh in 2024, which marks a robust growth of 71 kWh. This indicates that Sri Lanka is not only expanding its total electricity usage but is also making strides in enhancing its low-carbon production, which is promising for sustainable development.
Suggestions
To further bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Sri Lanka could capitalize on its existing solar infrastructure as it represents a substantial part of its clean energy setup. Looking at other regions' successes, countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy forms a significant share of electricity generation, could serve as an inspirational blueprint for Sri Lanka to consider incorporating or expanding nuclear power. Additionally, states like Nevada could be models for solar expansion, with Lebanon showing a significant reliance on solar energy. Emulating these successful strategies can diversify and strengthen Sri Lanka's clean energy portfolio, helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and tackle issues like climate change and air pollution effectively.
History
Reflecting on the historical growth of low-carbon electricity in Sri Lanka, hydropower has been a consistent contributor since the early 1980s, with notable expansions in the mid-2000s and various years thereafter, despite occasional reductions. Notably, hydropower increased significantly with a boost of 3.6 TWh in 2013. The last few years have also seen diversification with wind and solar emerging as additional green energy contributors, particularly in 2022 and 2024. This sustained growth and diversification demonstrate Sri Lanka's proactive investments and efforts in expanding its low-carbon electricity resources over the decades, setting a foundation for further advancements in sustainable power generation.
