The key message for policymakers is: Give wood energy a fair chance in the energy mix of your country in order to make the world a more sustainable and more environmentally friendly place.

Despite its strong trajectory of recovery from a 26-year civil war, Sri Lanka still faces major development challenges, including providing affordable, accessible, and reliable energy services, and reducing poverty and regional disparities.

Sri Lanka should consider reducing or removing tariffs and taxes in setting up solar projects in Sri Lanka, be it household or commercial, at least for the initial few years, to encourage more solar adoption.

Sri Lanka is working on a plan to power the country using entirely renewable energy sources within the next decade, Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

According to the CEB Chairman, a sum of Rs. 10 million is required to establish one solar power plant with a capacity of 100 kilowatts; and following the tender procedure, one could invest about Rs. 3 million by hand and obtain a bank loan for the rest that could be settled in 5 to 6 years.

The reason for Sri Lanka to lag behind other countries in harnessing its solar power potential appears to be the lack of interest shown by the CEB even to implement the many projects approved by the Cabinet.

Under a concept to establish a solar power station per village, it has been planned to open 10,000 rural solar power stations to provide 1MWh from 10,000 transformers.

In line with an overall push to boost the share of renewables, the government of Sri Lanka is pursuing new power solutions for Vavuniya and about 20 other hospitals across the nation.

The Indian government will extend USD 100 million (EUR 89.1m) in debt to Sri Lanka that will enable the country to install solar rooftop systems on government buildings.