The integration of the 10 Megawatt (MW) / 40 Megawatt-hour (MWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) constructed in Anuradhapura into the national power grid took place yesterday morning (18) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Installed with the contribution of Storex (Pvt) Ltd, the system aims to enhance Sri Lanka’s renewable energy capacity and grid stability.
Battery energy storage technology is among the most advanced and efficient solutions in the modern energy sector. Its primary function is to store surplus solar power generated during daytime and release it to the national grid during peak demand hours at night.
As part of an overall project by Storex (Pvt) Ltd to add 13 battery storage systems with a total capacity of 130MW / 520MWh to the national grid, this Anuradhapura facility marks the first completed system. The remaining projects are scheduled for completion and grid connection within the next two to three months.
After unveiling the commemorative plaque and connecting the system to the national grid, the President inspected the facility premises.
As part of the project’s social initiatives, the President symbolically presented a printing machine for the use of students at Tammannapura College and awarded 10 scholarships to students studying Ordinary Level Mathematics and Science.
Addressing the gathering, Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation, and Energy Anura Karunathilaka pointed out that this initiative aligns with the government’s objectives to maximize clean renewable energy, lower generation costs to provide affordable electricity to the public, and ensure an efficient, reliable, and continuous power supply.
Speaking further, Minister Anura Karunathilaka stated:
“The global energy sector has evolved through key turning points across different eras. Today, Sri Lanka’s energy sector—particularly the electricity domain—is undergoing a transformative shift. Marking the completion of two years of the present government, we believe this transformation in the power sector is highly significant.
Currently, we generate nearly 3,000 MW of solar power during daytime, against a daytime demand of around 2,800 MW. However, nighttime demand reaches around 3,100 MW, and forecasts indicate this could rise further by February due to the El Niño phenomenon.
Our main challenge has been the lack of capacity to store surplus solar power generated during the day. To address this, we are currently executing 160 MW worth of projects, with WINDFORCE taking responsibility for 130 MW of that total. We anticipate adding the full 160 MW to the national grid before the end of this year.
Furthermore, we have initiated tenders for an additional 400 MW of battery storage capacity in phases of 250 MW and 150 MW. Some are currently under evaluation, and we expect these projects to be integrated into our grid before the end of 2027, mostly within the first six months.
This will enable us to feed greater quantities of renewable energy into the national grid while significantly cutting down the high costs associated with fossil fuel power generation at night.
It fulfills our plans to deliver clean energy, reduce generation costs for affordable pricing, and guarantee an efficient, reliable, and uninterrupted electricity supply. I express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this effort a success.”
The event was attended by former Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody; Members of Parliament Prof. Sena Nanayakkara and Bhagya Sri Herath; local government representatives; Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu; Anuradhapura District Secretary Ranjith Wimalasuriya; officials from the Ministry of Energy and the Sustainable Energy Authority; chairmen and senior officers of CEB successor companies; Director of Storex (Pvt) Ltd Manjula Perera, and members of the company.
