As part of the government’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the construction of a 50-megawatt wind power project by Hayleys Fentons Limited in Mannar commenced today under the auspices of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
This state-of-the-art wind power plant, strategically located to harness Mannar’s natural wind resources, will feature 10 wind turbines and is projected to generate 207,000,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, according to a statement from the President’s Media Division.
The project will provide electricity at a rate of USD 0.0465 per unit, or LKR 14.37 per unit, with completion expected by March 2027.
During the ceremony, several documents related to regional development projects were officially handed over. These projects include equipping the Oleithuduwai Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School with a smart classroom, providing safe drinking water to 200 households in partnership with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, installing new street lighting along the walkway from Mannar Bridge to Thallady town with assistance from the Ceylon Electricity Board, and constructing new water channels to ensure smooth water flow, at an estimated cost of Rs. 10 million.
Additionally, canal dredging efforts are underway in collaboration with Disaster Management Centres to mitigate flooding in the region.
Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, addressing the gathering, emphasized that the project is not only a renewable energy endeavor contributing to the nation’s power supply but also an initiative aimed at providing essential services and benefits to the local community. He underscored the government’s focus on addressing public needs and highlighted the project’s role in national development.
He further noted the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, including religious leaders and political representatives, to advance development initiatives in the Mannar District. The Minister underscored Mannar’s significant wind power potential and hailed the project as a milestone in harnessing this potential for the country’s development.
According to the Minister, this project represents a historic opportunity in Sri Lanka’s wind power sector, offering electricity at an unprecedented low tariff of USD 0.0465 per unit. Other development projects are also being implemented to capitalize on Mannar’s renewable energy potential.
In 2025, the government aimed to add 1,848 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, surpassing this target with 2,695 megawatts. For 2026, the target is set at 2,078 megawatts, with agreements already in place for 3,089.5 megawatts. Similarly, targets for 2027, 2028, and 2029 were set at 2,563, 3,253, and 3,943 megawatts respectively, with agreements secured for 3,822.5, 4,332.5, and 4,634.5 megawatts.
Between 2025 and 2029, instead of the planned 9,759 megawatts, agreements have been secured for 12,789.5 megawatts, demonstrating significant progress in achieving renewable energy objectives, the Minister stated.
Minister Jayakody highlighted the careful assessment of the wind power potential and local challenges in the Mannar area, stressing government intervention as essential for local development. A special task committee, following presidential directives, has been established to oversee regional development activities.
Efforts are being made to address water retention and flooding issues due to the area’s geographical location, with survey and measurement work currently underway. Progress is closely monitored, and development programs are being implemented to ensure essential services are promptly provided, with the support of the District Secretary and various stakeholders.
The government is committed to providing essential services and relief to the public, working beyond mere electricity generation. It aims to deliver these initiatives with the cooperation of opposition Members of Parliament, without political motives.
The Minister called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to meet the community’s needs and advance the region’s development.
Prominent figures such as Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Authority Professor Wijendra Bandara, General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineer K.S.I. Kumar, Chairman and CEO of Hayleys PLC Mohan Pandithage, and Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons Limited Hasith Prematilleke also addressed the gathering.
The event was attended by Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vedanayagam, local public representatives, senior officials from the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Sustainable Energy Authority, Executive Director of Hayleys PLC Sarath Ganegoda, General Manager of Hayleys Advantis Ltd Ruwan Vidyaratna, and other representatives.
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