India-based solar energy developer and EPC company U-Solar Clean Energy Solutions has partnered with Ryse Energy, a distributor of renewable energy solutions specializing in wind turbines, to implement hybrid renewable energy systems off the coast of Jaffna in Sri Lanka.

The project encompasses a combination of solar and wind energy, integrating 530 kW of wind power, 1,700 kW of solar power, 2,400 kWh of battery power, and a 2,500 kW standby diesel power system across the islands of Delft, Nainativu, and Analaitivu.

The Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority recently signed a contract with U-Solar to implement the project.

Kanchana Wijesekera, Minister of Power and Energy, said the project is being implemented with a financial grant of $10.995 million from the government of India.

The project is expected to be operational by March 2025.

The integration of various renewable energy technologies aims to optimize energy generation, providing a consistent and reliable power supply to regions not connected to the national grid.

K.R. Harinarayan, Founder and CEO of U-Solar, said, “A project of this stature is complex in many ways, the three islands are remotely located, and the technology integration will be one of a kind in the world…we have diligently studied this project and our team has also visited the site before putting together a comprehensive bid. While there have been some unforeseen obstacles, our commitment to the vision of the Indian and Sri Lankan government is unwavering.”

Alistair Munro, Founder & CEO of Ryse Energy, said, “I am thrilled to announce our major project to power Sri Lanka with distributed wind, in collaboration with U-Solar. This landmark partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide sustainable and accessible energy solutions worldwide.”

In November 2023, the CEB, under the Ministry of Power and Energy, Sri Lanka, issued an expression of interest to construct two 100 MW floating solar power projects on the Samanalawewa reservoir in the Ratnapura district.

In February 2023, Adani Green Energy, the renewable energy arm of Adani Group, was awarded the letter of approval for two wind energy projects to be developed in the Mannar and Ponneryn areas of northern Sri Lanka. The two projects were to receive a total investment of $442 million.