"Rividanavi" Solar Park Launched as Sri Lanka Aims for 70% Renewable Energy by 2030

SIYAMBALANDUWA — A major step towards achieving Sri Lanka's goal of generating 70% of its national electricity from renewable energy by 2030 was taken today (06) with the official launch of construction for the Siyambalanduwa “Rividanavi” Solar Power Park. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presided over the inauguration of what will be the largest renewable energy project in the country.

This massive project, with a generation capacity of 100 MW and an investment of $140 million, is being built on a 500-acre plot in the Kotiyagala Grama Niladhari Division of the Monaragala District. The Sustainable Energy Authority provided the project site, access roads, and all necessary approvals, making this the first such project where an investor received a fully prepared site.

With Sri Lanka's annual electricity consumption ranging between 15,000 and 16,000 GWh, this project is expected to add 219 GWh to the national grid each year. This will result in an annual foreign exchange saving of around Rs. 21 billion, which would otherwise be spent on importing diesel for power generation. It is estimated that the project will save approximately Rs. 41 million in foreign exchange per acre.

The Rividanavi project is also expected to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 150,000 metric tonnes annually.

In addition to the solar park, the project includes a 12 MWh battery storage facility to help maintain the stability of the national grid. A new 27-km, 132 kV transmission line will also be constructed to connect the park to a new 132 kV grid substation in the Monaragala area. This marks the first time a project investor will be building the transmission infrastructure themselves.

The project is a joint venture between Lankadavi Company and WindForce PLC, operating under the newly formed Rivi Danavi Private Company. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

Beyond its energy benefits, the project will also focus on local community development, including infrastructure improvements, new job opportunities, and social welfare initiatives. Planned programs include a "Rivi Nana" scholarship program for advanced-level students, a water supply project to assist 135 households in the area, the renovation of the Mutthawala Lake, and an upgrade to the factory electrical technician course at the Sri Lanka Vocational Training Authority to NVQ Level 4.

During the ceremony, Minister of Energy Kumar Jayakody hailed the project as a "new transformation" for the country's energy sector. He emphasized that the government is committed to proving its policies through action and is dedicated to achieving energy independence and security for Sri Lanka.

Professor Wijendra Bandara, Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Authority, also spoke, noting that Sri Lanka has abundant resources to achieve energy independence. He said that while the current process requires approvals from about 12 institutions, the government is working to create a streamlined "single-window" system to expedite such projects in the future.

The event was attended by Uva Province Governor Kapila Jayasekera, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security R.M. Jayawardena, Parliamentarian Ajith Agalakada, and other local dignitaries and officials from state institutions. (NewsCenter)