Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the transition to renewable energy and strengthening international cooperation in clean energy at the Ninth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, held in New Delhi from 3 to 5 November 2026 alongside the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026.
Hon. Muhammadu Ilyas Muhammadu Arkam, Deputy Minister of Energy of Sri Lanka, represented the Government of Sri Lanka at the Assembly and delivered Sri Lanka’s National Statement during the High-Level Ministerial Segment.
In his statement, the Deputy Minister reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 70 per cent by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality in the electricity generation sector by 2050, in line with Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
He outlined Sri Lanka’s efforts to expand renewable energy capacity while strengthening the resilience, reliability and efficiency of the national electricity system. These include initiatives relating to green hydrogen, electric mobility and charging infrastructure, battery energy storage systems and the strengthening and modernisation of the national electricity grid.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted Sri Lanka’s significant potential for further renewable energy development. Particular attention was drawn to opportunities for floating solar projects in identified reservoirs, as well as solar and wind development in the Northern, Eastern and Southern regions. The ongoing development of wind power projects in Mannar and the assessment of Sri Lanka’s offshore wind potential were also highlighted as areas of future opportunity.
Sri Lanka further emphasised the importance of technology, knowledge-sharing, investment and capacity-building in translating its renewable energy ambitions into tangible outcomes.
Sri Lanka’s participation in the ISA Assembly also provided an opportunity to advance its cooperation with India in the renewable energy sector. On the sidelines of the Assembly, Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas met with Shri Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy of India and President of the International Solar Alliance, to discuss ways of further strengthening India-Sri Lanka cooperation under the ISA framework.
The discussions covered practical areas of cooperation including solar integration with the national grid, energy storage, digital grid management, floating solar and solarisation of agriculture, as well as opportunities to translate existing cooperation into concrete projects. Particular attention was given to the operationalisation of the Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) at the University of Moratuwa, which provides a platform for strengthening Sri Lanka’s technical capacity and application of solar technologies. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of practical cooperation, technology and knowledge-sharing in supporting Sri Lanka’s renewable energy transition and strengthening energy security.
Sri Lanka has also been working closely with the ISA on a number of initiatives, including the establishment of the STAR-C at the University of Moratuwa, the development of a digital system to facilitate the approval of solar energy projects, cooperation on solar applications in agriculture, and support for floating solar development and the preparation of a National Solar Energy Roadmap for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has been a member of the International Solar Alliance since 2018 and has continued to play an active role in the Alliance’s institutional and regional work. During 2025 - 2026, Sri Lanka served as Vice-President of the ISA Standing Committee representing the Asia and Pacific region and as Chair of the ISA Regional Committee for Asia and the Pacific.
Sri Lanka has also served as Rapporteur of the ISA Standing Committee, reflecting its active contribution to the governance and work of the Alliance.
At the Ninth Assembly, Member Countries considered the progress of ISA programmes and initiatives and discussed priorities for the next phase of global solar cooperation, including mobilising investment, expanding solar applications in agriculture, strengthening energy resilience, developing new technologies and deepening capacity-building and knowledge-sharing.
The Assembly also reaffirmed India’s leadership of the Alliance, with India elected to a third consecutive term as President of the International Solar Alliance, with France continuing as Co-President.
Sri Lanka’s participation in the Ninth ISA Assembly reflects its continued commitment to working with India, the International Solar Alliance and its Member Countries to advance renewable energy, strengthen energy security and promote a sustainable, affordable and resilient energy future.
High Commission of Sri Lanka, New Delhi
6 November 2026