Sri Lanka's Solar Firms Await Battery Tariff Guidelines as Revenue Losses Mount
Sri Lanka's solar power companies were promised a battery tariff of 46.80 rupees per unit for 2025, but the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has not issued necessary guidelines or contract amendments, leading to wasted solar energy and financial losses. Despite a cabinet decision in June 2025, no guidelines have been provided, pushing some firms into debt.
The CEB began curtailing solar power purchases in February 2025, resulting in a 15% revenue loss (2 billion rupees) for the industry. The curtailment extends to weekdays and holidays, complicating debt repayment.
Battery systems would enable energy storage for nighttime use, but without CEB guidelines, implementation is delayed. The CEB lacks the capacity to store energy, highlighting the urgency of issuing guidelines or calling tenders for battery energy storage systems.
