The Federation of Renewable Energy Developers (FRED) has called on the government to immediately reverse its decision to slash rooftop solar feed-in tariffs and reduce equity premiums for ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, FRED President Thusitha Peiris said the move undermines Sri Lanka’s renewable energy future and criticized the government’s failure to invest in critical grid stabilization infrastructure such as Battery Energy Storage Systems.

FRED also accused the government of bypassing open dialogue with industry stakeholders and added that some 30 renewable energy projects have stalled as a result of current policies.

FRED Executive Committee Member Prabath Wickramasinghe meanwhile criticized the committee responsible for tariff revisions, alleging bias due to the absence of renewable energy supplier representation and independent regulators such as the Public Utilities Commission.

The Ministry of Power and Energy appointed the committee in October 2024 to review 40 renewable energy projects, including the Mannar Wind Power Project.

However, Engineer Parakrama Jayasinghe, member of FRED warned that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be unable to fulfil his government’s ambitious goal of reducing electricity tariffs by 30% under the current energy policies which discourage investment in renewable energy. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of being influenced by a ‘fuel cartel’ alleging that renewable energy projects are being deliberately obstructed.

In a post on X Premadasa criticized the recent reduction in solar feed-in tariffs, calling it an act of ‘absolute corruption’ with ‘no economic logic’.

“I’ve never said this before. But it’s time we call it, the fuel cartel runs this government. Every renewable project is blocked or buried. Now they’ve cut solar tariffs. No economic logic whatsoever just absolute corruption,” he said.

The Opposition Leader’s statement comes after the Solar Industries Association (SIA) announced its opposition to a proposed reduction in rooftop solar feed-in tariffs in Sri Lanka, warning it could harm over 1,000 businesses and 40,000 jobs.

In a letter to the Treasury Secretary, the SIA said lowering tariffs from Rs. 27 and Rs. 23 to Rs. 19 and Rs. 14 would damage the fastest-growing segment in renewable energy, which contributed over 500 MW in 2024. The group urged the Ministry of Finance to revise the proposal, citing concerns over cost assumptions and its potential impact on clean energy goals. (Newswire)

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