Sri Lanka rushes solar battery storage as Iran war deepens energy crisis

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COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan government has announced an emergency acceleration of renewable energy projects to combat a severe power shortage triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With the war in Iran causing a sharp decline in fossil fuel imports and a subsequent spike in global energy prices, the island nation is shifting its focus toward rapid solar and battery storage deployment.

Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera stated that the government is fast-tracking the integration of 500MW of solar power into the national grid. The initiative includes the distribution of rooftop solar kits and the establishment of large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) to stabilise the power supply during peak hours. 

The move is seen as a strategic necessity to reduce Sri Lanka's heavy reliance on expensive thermal power and imported coal, which have become increasingly difficult to procure due to maritime disruptions in the Gulf.

‘We cannot remain vulnerable to the volatility of global oil markets,’ Wijesekera said during a press briefing. ‘The current crisis has underscored the urgent need for energy sovereignty.’ While the government aims to complete several key projects within the next six months, experts warn that the transition will require significant foreign investment and technical support to overcome existing infrastructure limitations.