By: Staff Writer
June 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is making major strides in renewable energy development with significant progress in wind power projects in the Mannar region, reinforcing its goal to transition to 70% renewable energy by 2030.
Spearheading this shift, Hayleys Fentons’ new wind energy subsidiary, HayWind, has secured a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to build a 50MW wind power plant in Mannar.
The project, won through a competitive bidding process at the lowest tariff of 4.65 US cents per kilowatt-hour, marks a strategic $50 million investment on a Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) basis.
Scheduled for completion within 18 months, the plant will feature 10 wind turbines, each generating 5MW.
Once operational, it is expected to deliver clean, affordable energy to the national grid and result in significant cost savings—an estimated Rs. 3 billion over 20 years compared to the next best alternative bid.
This move is part of Sri Lanka’s broader effort to reduce fossil fuel dependency, cut emissions, and ensure long-term energy affordability and sustainability.
In addition to HayWind’s project, the 100MW Thambapavani Wind Farm, already operational on Mannar Island, is generating 400 GWh of electricity annually and supplying it to the national grid.
As part of its ongoing commitment, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) is now surveying land on Mannar Island to develop an additional 200MW in a second-phase expansion.
Minister of Power, Engineer Kumara Jayakody, emphasized the government’s determination to leverage the nation’s natural resources—abundant wind and sunlight—for energy independence.
During an official inspection of Mannar’s wind project sites, he confirmed that tenders have already been called for a proposed 100MW wind plant in Mullikulam.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Energy, including Secretary Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala, praised the HayWind initiative as a timely and strategic investment in Sri Lanka’s clean energy future.
“It exemplifies the collaborative spirit needed to meet our renewable energy goals and strengthen energy security,” he stated.
Hayleys PLC Chairman and CEO Mohan Pandithage highlighted the company’s leadership in renewable investment, noting that Hayleys is aligning with Sri Lanka’s net-zero targets while targeting net-zero operations of its own by 2035.
Hasith Prematillake, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons, added that their vision is to become the lowest-cost renewable energy producer in the country while contributing to foreign exchange savings.
CEB General Manager Wasantha Edussuriya noted that the integration of wind energy into the national grid will help build a more resilient and sustainable power infrastructure.
Roshane Perera, Director and CEO of Hayleys Solar, further emphasized the capabilities of local companies, citing Hayleys Solar’s successful track record with over 300MW in solar EPC projects and 200MW in renewable energy investments.
This new chapter in Sri Lanka’s energy journey not only marks Hayleys Fentons’ entry into wind power but also reflects the country’s firm commitment to clean energy, economic sustainability, and climate action.
