Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa Meets French Ambassador Over Concerns of Solar Energy Representatives

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rémi Lambert and a group of local representatives from the renewable energy sector at the Office of the Opposition Leader today to discuss the challenges facing Sri Lanka’s renewable energy industry and opportunities to expand investment in the sector.

The meeting was also attended by M. Philippe Faut, Economic Counsellor at the Embassy of France, political officers Anna Bellerk and Dinusha Ileperuma, as well as a number of stakeholders in the renewable energy industry.

During the meeting, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of achieving Sri Lanka’s national renewable energy targets, including the target of generating 70% of the country’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. Sri Lanka’s Sustainable Energy Authority also identifies 70% renewable electricity generation by 2030 as a national target.

Premadasa further highlighted concerns raised by stakeholders in the sector regarding changes to payment and accounting mechanisms for rooftop solar systems, including the proposed transition from net metering and net accounting to the net-plus scheme under government policy.

According to the concerns raised at the meeting, these changes have created uncertainty for solar energy entrepreneurs and have affected the viability of investments in the sector. Under Sri Lanka’s existing rooftop solar framework, net metering, net accounting and net-plus arrangements have been used as different mechanisms for handling electricity generated by rooftop solar systems.

The Opposition Leader also drew attention to delays in issuing licences related to solar power projects and other regulatory barriers faced by the industry. He stressed the need to create a predictable environment for renewable energy investment.

He further pointed out that France’s development agency, AFD, could play an important role in supporting renewable energy projects prioritised by the Sri Lankan Government, while greater cooperation could also be developed between French investors and Sri Lankan renewable energy entrepreneurs.

Premadasa also emphasised the importance of stable electricity tariffs and a predictable policy environment in attracting foreign investment. He stated that Sri Lanka requires a continuous supply of high-quality and affordable energy.

He further noted that the expansion of the solar energy sector could create opportunities for Sri Lankan youth to enter entrepreneurship and establish businesses within the renewable energy industry. He also presented his views on Sri Lanka’s broader renewable energy ambitions, including the possibility of moving towards a system based entirely on renewable energy in the future.

Premadasa also emphasised that promoting renewable energy should be a matter that goes beyond party politics. He called for greater cooperation among the Government, investors, industry stakeholders and international development partners to advance Sri Lanka’s renewable energy targets.