In 2024, Sri Lanka has made commendable progress in its electricity generation, with a slight edge towards clean energy sources. More than half of the country's electricity consumption, around 55%, is being sourced from low-carbon options such as hydropower, solar, and wind. Hydropower remains the leading provider within this category, contributing to approximately 37% of the electricity. Solar energy follows suit with nearly 14%, while wind energy trails behind at over 4%. On the other side, fossil fuels still account for nearly 45% of the electricity, which highlights that there remains a significant reliance on these non-sustainable sources. Moving forward, Sri Lanka can aim to reduce this dependency for a greener energy footprint.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, Energy Institute and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka's electricity consumption per person is on a positive trajectory, showcasing progressive growth. The latest figure reaches 818 kWh per person in 2024, witnessing an increase of 48 kWh from the previous record set in 2021. In terms of low-carbon electricity generation, the country has seen even more impressive growth. Rising from 381 kWh per person in 2021 to an encouraging 451 kWh in 2024, this represents a gain of 71 kWh per person. The advancements in low-carbon contributions indicate a focused shift towards sustainable energy practices, setting a promising tone for future expansions in clean energy infrastructure.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Sri Lanka could significantly benefit from expanding its solar energy capabilities, building upon its existing success in this domain. Learning from regions that have embraced similar energy strategies, Sri Lanka can look to countries like the United States, particularly Nevada, where solar constitutes a substantial 33% of their electricity. Moreover, incorporating nuclear energy, which has been highly effective in countries like France (70%) and Slovakia (66%), could provide a steady and scalable source of clean power. These regions exemplify how embracing solar and nuclear energy can drastically transform electricity generation landscapes and propel a country towards a future-oriented, low-carbon ecosystem.
History
Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in Sri Lanka, hydropower has experienced various fluctuations over the decades. Beginning with moderate growth in the 1980s and 1990s, the 2000s marked a period of both gains and setbacks. Notably, from 2010 onwards, substantial improvements were recorded, although these were occasionally marred by declines, like the significant drops in 2012 and 2014. However, recent years show a positive trend with wind and solar showing up in the data as early as 2022, each contributing to Sri Lanka's green efforts. In 2024, both hydropower and solar energy experienced growth, solidifying the country's commitment to expanding its clean electricity capability in the face of previous challenges.
