In 2025, low-carbon sources supplied about 61% of Sri Lanka’s electricity, while fossil fuels provided the remaining 39%. Hydropower was the largest source, accounting for roughly 40% of electricity consumption, followed by solar at about 15% and wind at 4%. Geothermal and biofuels together contributed around 1%. Clean electricity therefore supplied well over half of consumption, although fossil fuels still represented a substantial share, with associated climate and air-pollution impacts.

Is Electricity Growing in Sri Lanka?

Electricity consumption per person is growing, reaching a new record of 844 kWh in 2025, compared with 789 kWh in 2024—an increase of about 7%. Low-carbon electricity generation grew even faster, rising from 423 to 515 kWh per person, an increase of 92 kWh, or roughly 22%. This is encouraging progress: clean generation is expanding considerably faster than overall consumption, helping Sri Lanka meet growing electricity needs while reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

Suggestions

Sri Lanka should build on solar’s already substantial contribution by expanding rooftop and larger-scale solar generation, alongside grid improvements and storage. Lebanon, where solar supplies about 31% of electricity, offers a useful regional comparison, while North Macedonia’s 40% solar share illustrates the potential for further expansion. Wind also deserves development: Uruguay generates roughly a third of its electricity from wind, demonstrating its potential in a relatively small electricity system. Sri Lanka should also consider developing nuclear electricity, drawing on nearby Pakistan’s experience with a 13% nuclear share and the United Arab Emirates’ achievement of 20%. Together, solar, wind and nuclear could support a larger, more diversified low-carbon electricity supply.

History

Sri Lanka’s low-carbon electricity history has been dominated by substantial year-to-year changes in hydropower. Generation increased by about 0.9 TWh in both 1984 and 1993, followed by declines in 1996 and 2000. Gains of 1.2 TWh in 2006 and 1.8 TWh in 2010 preceded a particularly variable decade: hydro rose by 3.6 TWh in 2013 and 2.4 TWh in 2018, with several intervening decreases. The early 2020s also saw a 2.3 TWh increase in 2021 followed by a 1.9 TWh decrease in 2022. More recently, growth has broadened: hydropower increased by 1.1 TWh in each of 2024 and 2025, while solar added 0.7 TWh and 1.1 TWh respectively—a promising acceleration in clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade