Sri Lanka in fresh push for 100MW floating solar project

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The project was initially proposed by Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena (Credit: Sri Lankan government)

The Sri Lankan government has revived previously announced plans for a 100MW floating solar project, green-lighting its construction alongside Canadian partners.

Earlier this week, the cabinet of ministers signed off on the addition of a floating installation on the Maduru Oya reservoir, on the island’s east.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The scheme was first proposed in 2017 and will now be, ministers agreed, developed through a joint venture with Canadian Solar Institute; the partnership was proposed by Canada’s own government.

The project approved this week is a joint proposal by Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena – who is also minister for developments in the Mahaweli basin, where the reservoir sits – and energy minister Ravi Karunanayake. Its next few steps will be decided by a newly-created steering committee.

The go-ahead to floating PV follows the decision by ministers, only last week, to approve the development of 28 small-scale solar projects across the island. The plants, selected by a negotiation committee, will sell power at prices of LKR12.84-15.93 (US$0.072-0.089) per kWh.

Sri Lanka was active last year working to promote PV, announcing a 10MW tender and a 90MW RfP for small-scale solar. In 2017, the country raised US$50 million from the Asian Development Bank for the deployment of a 50MW rooftop PV pipeline.  

Read Next

August 29, 2025
Chinese module maker JA Solar has launched DesertBlue, a PV module designed for desert and semi-arid regions. 
August 29, 2025
US grid interconnection agreements grew by 33% in 2024, reaching 75GW, with three-quarters signed for solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, according to a new report from energy market analyst Wood Mackenzie.
August 29, 2025
Meridian Energy and Nova Energy have established a JV to build and operate a 400MW solar plant in Rangitaiki near Taupo in New Zealand.
August 28, 2025
State-owned firm Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has launched a tender for the construction of a 280MW floating PV (FPV) project.
August 28, 2025
Indian solar manufacturing firm INA Solar has broken ground on its fourth 4.5GW cell production plant in Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh.
August 28, 2025
Boviet Solar has completed exterior construction work on its 3GW PV cell manufacturing facility in Greenville, Pitt County, North Carolina. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines