Sri Lanka, under the new National People’s Power (NPP)-led government, has reaffirmed its commitment to exploring nuclear power as part of its long-term energy strategy while phasing out coal power plants.
Building on a policy shift initiated by the previous government—which in March 2024 committed to a national nuclear programme—the new administration views nuclear energy as a clean, reliable, and low-carbon option for meeting future electricity demands.
According to the 2025–2044 generation plan, nuclear power is seen as a key pathway to achieving full decarbonization of the electricity sector. While acknowledging that nuclear projects are highly capital-intensive and require long lead times, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) emphasizes that they are among the few viable options to meet carbon neutrality goals.
Sri Lanka will need to carefully navigate international geopolitical dynamics, as multiple global powers—including Russia, the United States, China, and France—have expressed interest in investing in Sri Lanka’s nuclear energy future. Russia’s state-run Rosatom has already submitted a proposal to build a small nuclear power plant with two 55-megawatt blocks (totaling 110 MW), similar to its investments in India and Bangladesh.
The CEB’s plan includes achieving 70% renewable energy in the national grid by 2030, supported by high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnection and the gradual integration of nuclear power.
However, the new government has yet to develop the necessary legal and regulatory infrastructure to support nuclear energy development, and securing public and international consensus remains a crucial part of the process.
