Sri Lanka’s WindForce secures 120 MW standalone BESS projects
The Morning: WindForce PLC has received Letters of Award for 12 standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects under an international competitive bidding process conducted by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), marking Sri Lanka’s first grid-scale standalone battery storage programme.
The awards were issued on 16 February. The projects collectively represent a total installed capacity of 120 megawatts with 480 megawatt hours of energy storage, making it the largest standalone BESS initiative undertaken in the country to date.
The programme has been introduced to strengthen grid stability and facilitate greater integration of renewable energy into the national power system. As Sri Lanka continues to expand wind and solar generation, standalone battery storage is expected to support system reliability, peak demand management, and operational flexibility.
The 12 projects will be developed under a Build, Own and Operate model with a 15-year contract period. The facilities are designed to operate as independent storage assets, providing grid services including frequency regulation and enhanced system resilience.
Of the 12 awarded projects, 11 will be fully owned and developed by WindForce PLC. The remaining project, located in Vavunathivu, will be implemented through a consortium between WindForce PLC and Vidullanka PLC.
The initiative represents Sri Lanka’s first dedicated standalone battery energy storage programme at grid scale. Battery storage systems are increasingly being deployed globally to address variability in renewable energy generation and to ensure stable power supply during fluctuations in demand.
With a total capacity of 120 MW and 480 MWh of storage, the awarded portfolio establishes a significant benchmark for energy storage infrastructure in the country. The projects are expected to contribute to improving grid flexibility and enabling more efficient utilisation of renewable energy resources.
OSL take:
The continued awarding of renewable energy generation projects clearly indicates an expansion in Sri Lanka’s power and energy industry, especially in the renewable energy generation sector. With Sri Lanka on a steady growth path with an expanding economy and a target of achieving regional hub status, the country’s power and energy industry is expanding to meet the increasing demand. Given Sri Lanka’s commitment to expand the clean and sustainable energy generation component keeping on par with the growing global sustainable energy sector, there are many business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy generation sector as well. The country is also looking at Battery Energy Storage Systems for all new renewable energy projects and has further expanded the business viability of the renewable energy generation sector. The growth and profits recorded by businesses already engaged in the sector and the increasing interest among foreign businesses/investors to explore the business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy generation sector indicates the growing business potential in the sector. Foreign businesses could also look at expanding operations in the renewable energy generation sector through local collaborations.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260303/Z_1 |