Sri Lanka marked a new technological milestone in its energy sector with the commissioning of the country’s first commercial‑level Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which was officially connected to the national power grid on September 10.

The state‑of‑the‑art facility, installed in Bataduwa near the Galle grid substation, has a capacity of 10 megawatts (40 MWh). 

Full commercial operations commenced on the same day, enabling the system to store excess electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind, and release it back to the grid when required.

This project represents the first of 16 BESS units tendered in 2025 by the newly established National System Operator (NSO Pvt Ltd), the state company formed after restructuring the Ceylon Electricity Board to manage the national power system and oversee electricity purchases.

The Galle BESS has been implemented by Galilee BESS Limited, a subsidiary of WKV Hydro Technics, which is fully owned by Singapore‑based Khen Energy Ltd. (Newswire)

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Minister of Energy Aruna Karunathilake told Parliament today that the Government is preparing to grant systematic concessions on batteries used in renewable energy storage, beginning with systems above 100 kilowatts. 

He said discussions had recently been held with the President, and a framework is being developed to ensure concessions are provided under a structured process.

The Minister cautioned, however, that Sri Lanka has yet to establish quality standards for battery systems. 

“If we open this without a quality system, then batteries of substantial quality will be brought into Sri Lanka. It is important to prevent this and work towards introducing the quality system soon,” he noted.

Karunathilake also highlighted the country’s current renewable energy performance, stating that between 60–70% of electricity generation is now coming from renewable sources. 

He said rooftop solar alone contributes around 2,500 megawatts, ground‑mounted solar adds 530 megawatts, and wind power provides over 250 megawatts, amounting to more than 40% of total electricity generation.

The Minister acknowledged challenges in the sector, including delays in solar approval processes, difficulties in obtaining land, and connecting new generation systems to the grid. 

He emphasized that addressing these issues, alongside introducing battery storage with proper standards, will be critical to sustaining Sri Lanka’s renewable energy growth. (Newswire)

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