Electricity in Sri Lanka in 2023

In 2023, Sri Lanka's electricity consumption totals approximately 16.9 TWh, with a fairly equal split between low-carbon and fossil energy sources. More than half of Sri Lanka's electricity comes from clean energy sources, like hydropower and solar, contributing roughly 8.5 TWh. Fossil energy sources contribute about 8.4 TWh, indicating a significant reliance on non-renewable energy. Compared to the global average of 432 watts per person, Sri Lanka's per capita electricity consumption appears to be notably lower, which could hinder economic growth and development. Limited electricity availability may also impact essential services, reduce industrial productivity, and contribute to energy insecurity.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Sri Lanka should focus on expanding solar power, which already contributes significantly. Learning from successful countries, Sri Lanka can draw inspiration from China and India, which achieved impressive solar energy outputs of 584 TWh and 113 TWh, respectively. By investing in solar farms and support infrastructure, Sri Lanka could benefit from the declining costs of solar technologies and benefit from scalable, sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, exploring wind power, as evidenced by Brazil and India's 96 TWh and 82 TWh contributions to wind energy, could further diversify Sri Lanka's energy mix and enhance its clean energy portfolio.

History

Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Sri Lanka, hydropower has been a key component, albeit with fluctuations over the years. In the mid-1980s and the early 1990s, significant increments of around 0.9 TWh were recorded, followed by periodic declines and increases. Noteworthy increases in 2010 (1.7 TWh) and 2013 (3.6 TWh) demonstrated the potential for hydropower expansion. However, there were notable declines, such as in 2016 (-1.7 TWh) and 2022 (-2.1 TWh). Recent trends in 2023 show optimistic growth, with solar power increasing by 1 TWh and hydropower by 0.7 TWh, marking a promising development for low-carbon electricity generation in the country.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources