Sri Lanka is boldly stepping into a sustainable future by leveraging its vast renewable energy potential—sun-drenched coasts, windy highlands, and cascading rivers—to power a clean energy transition. With ambitious targets of achieving 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and complete carbon neutrality by 2050, the island nation is rapidly shifting away from costly, polluting fossil fuels toward a more innovative, greener energy ecosystem.
At the heart of this transformation lies cutting-edge hydrogen energy generation, a game-changing solution that promises to store excess renewable power, decarbonise heavy industries, and even fuel transportation. By integrating AI-optimised smart grids, next-gen electrolysers, and locally developed nanomaterials for efficient water splitting, Sri Lanka is positioning itself as a regional leader in green hydrogen innovation.
Recent breakthroughs—such as 25 percent higher hydrogen yields using nano-coated electrodes—demonstrate how homegrown research is making clean energy more viable than ever. Supported by international partnerships and forward-thinking policies, Sri Lanka’s hydrogen ambitions could soon turn the country into a net energy exporter, while ensuring energy security, creating jobs, and slashing emissions.
As global demand for green hydrogen soars, Sri Lanka’s strategic investments in wind-solar-hydrogen hybrids and cutting-edge storage technologies are setting the stage for an energy-independent future—one where power is not only clean and affordable, but also resilient against climate shocks and economic volatility.
A Nation of Endless Renewable Bounty
Sri Lanka’s renewable energy sector is powered by its natural assets. As of June 2025, renewables account for 50 percent of the nation’s electricity, totalling 3,345 MW: hydropower (1,535 MW), solar (1,067 MW), wind (267 MW), and biomass (54 MW). This shift has cut dependence on imported fossil fuels, a significant factor in the 2022 energy crisis. The Ceylon Electricity Board (2025) projects an additional 4,705 MW of solar, 1,825 MW of wind, and 195 MW of mini-hydro by 2030, supporting the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.Sri Lanka employs advanced technologies to ensure renewable energy is reliable and efficient. AI-controlled smart grids balance real-time supply from hydro, solar, and wind with demand, reducing fossil fuel use and preventing outages. These grids also predict maintenance needs for equipment such as turbines and panels, thereby boosting system longevity. Large-scale battery storage and pumped hydro plants store excess energy, for instance, 200 MWh daily from solar peaks,ensuring supply during cloudy or calm days.
Green Hydrogen and Ammonia: The New Clean Champions – Fueled by Local Innovation
Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis using renewable electricity, powers vehicles and enables the production of green ammonia for fertiliser production. Sri Lanka’s National Hydrogen Roadmap aims to establish production hubs by 2048, with international firms like Greenstat and H2Carrier exploring offshore platforms. Figure 1illustrates the integration of solar, wind, and hydro power into electrolysis units for the production of green hydrogen and ammonia, with intelligent grid optimisation.
Our research team has enhanced hydrogen production efficiency using surface-modified electrodes. By coating electrodes with nanomaterials like nickel-based alloys and carbon nanotubes, we’ve increased hydrogen yield by 25 percent and reduced energy consumption by 15 percent compared to standard methods. The process involves depositing these materials onto electrode surfaces via electrochemical deposition, minimising heat loss during electrolysis and extending electrode lifespan by 30 percent . Figure 2 illustrates the electrode structure after surface modification with nanomaterial layers (e.g., nickel alloys, carbon nanotubes), which enhances surface area and catalytic efficiency for hydrogen production.By coating electrolyser electrodes with advanced nanomaterials—such as nickel-based alloys and carbon nanotubes (CNTs)—we have significantly improved the efficiency of hydrogen generation. These nanostructured coatings enhance electrocatalytic activity, providing more active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) while reducing overpotential.
We’ve also developed an intelligent power controller that adjusts the hydrogen generator’s energy use based on real-time factors, such as temperature and gas pressure. This system reduces energy consumption by 18 percent while maintaining stable output, making it suitable for both small-scale (e.g., 10 kg/day) and industrial (e.g., 1 ton/day) applications. These innovations make hydrogen production more efficient and adaptable to Sri Lanka’s diverse needs, from transport to agriculture.
Key Achievements:
* 25 percent Increase in Hydrogen Yield: The high surface area and superior conductivity of carbon nanotubes, combined with the catalytic properties of nickel alloys, accelerate reaction kinetics, leading to greater gas production per unit of time.
* 15 percent Reduction in Energy Consumption: The nanomaterials lower the energy barrier for water splitting, decreasing the voltage required for electrolysis. This directly translates to lower operating costs and improved sustainability.
* Enhanced Durability: Nickel-based nanostructures exhibit excellent corrosion resistance in harsh alkaline or acidic environments, extending electrode lifespan compared to conventional materials.
Mechanistic Advantages:
* Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs): Improve electron transfer efficiency and prevent catalyst aggregation, ensuring long-term stability.
* Nickel Alloys (e.g., Ni-Fe, Ni-Mo): Synergistically enhance HER activity due to their optimised electronic structure and favourable hydrogen adsorption properties.
Potential Applications:
* Green Hydrogen Production: Enables more cost-effective renewable energy storage by pairing with solar/wind-powered electrolysis.
* Industrial-Scale Electrolysers: Scalable nanomaterial deposition techniques (e.g., electroplating, CVD) allow seamless integration into existing systems.
Tackling Challenges with Teamwork & Tech
Scaling renewable energy faces several hurdles, including land use, infrastructure (e.g., pipelines, storage), battery costs, and weather variability. Sri Lanka is addressing these through grid upgrades, a $50 million investment in battery storage (Ceylon Electricity Board, 2025), and partnerships with field-related experts for technical expertise. Our high-efficiency HHO generators, which produce 5–50 kg of hydrogen daily, offer a decentralised solution, reducing reliance on large-scale infrastructure.
A Green Tomorrow for All
By 2030, Sri Lanka’s renewable energy capacity is expected to grow by 6,725 MW (solar: 4,705 MW, wind: 1,825 MW, mini-hydro: 195 MW), fueling the development of new industries, such as green ammonia exports. Projects like the net-Zero Colombo Port showcase sustainable urban progress. Local innovations,nano-engineered electrodes and power controllersunderpin this transition. By 2050, carbon neutrality will deliver cleaner air and lower energy costs. As the proverb says, “Plant a tree today, and your children will rest in its shade.” Sri Lanka’s green revolution promises a thriving future.
By:
M.B.D.K. Siriwardena, Dr. A.R. Nihmiya, A.G.H.M. Madhubhashini,
Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Dr. Udara S.P.R. Arachchige, Faculty of Engineering, NSBM Green University
