SL aims to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050

Senior advisor to the President Ruwan Wijewardene speaks at Sri Lanka energy summit 2023

• Government of Sri Lanka  invites local and foreign direct investments to develop Renewable Energy in Sri Lanka

By Yohan Perera

Whilst stressing that Sri Lanka aims to achieve carbon neutrality in power generation by 2050, Senior advisor to President Ruwan Wijewardene urged local and foreign investors to start up the renewable energy Sector, to achieve this goal.  

He made this call during the Sri Lanka clean energy summit 2023 held in Colombo,  

”Sri Lanka is also a low-carbon emitting country, with emissions of approximately 1.02 tons per capita per year on average. As a party to the Paris Agreement, Sri Lanka is also committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 14.5% by 2030. Correspondingly, the country is further committed to achieving a 70% share of renewable energy (RE) in its electricity requirement by 2030, carbon neutrality by 2050 in electricity generation and no further capacity addition from unabated coal power generation. The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) invites local and foreign direct investments to develop RE in Sri Lanka,” he said  

He mentioned that Sri Lanka, being a country with abundant renewable energy potential, is seeking opportunities in transitioning to renewable energy to march towards sustainable development. “The transition does not limit reducing fuel imports that are placing a burden on government finances. It enables the creation of jobs, including for women, and rebuilds the economy based on clean and affordable energy. This transition will create multiple gains for the economy, the energy industry, and the environment,” he added. .  

International Climate Adviser to the President, Erik Solheim, the Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, the Minister of Environment, Naseer Ahamed, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, were among the participants.