Sri Lanka’s Locally Built ‘Diyajanani’ Floating Solar Plant Connects to the National Grid in Dambulla
Sri Lanka has taken a significant step in its transition towards sustainable energy with the connection of the 5 MW “Diyajanani” Floating Solar Power Plant to the National Grid on 18 September 2026. Constructed on the Ibbankatuwa Tank in Dambulla under the Government’s national programme for generating electricity through sustainable energy, the project combines renewable power generation, local engineering expertise and community-oriented development.
The grid connection took place under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, marking an important milestone in the country’s efforts to expand renewable energy capacity while reducing reliance on imported fuel. Built across approximately 10.5 acres of the reservoir, the floating solar installation is expected to provide an annual electricity supply sufficient for approximately 7,500 households.
The project is particularly notable because its environmental and economic benefits extend beyond electricity generation. According to information reported by Adaderana Biz English and Newswire, the plant is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 6,440 metric tonnes, while saving around 2.5 million litres of diesel that would otherwise be required for power generation each year. As a result, Sri Lanka is expected to save approximately US$3 million in foreign exchange annually.
A new application for Sri Lanka’s reservoirs
Floating solar technology enables photovoltaic panels to be installed on water bodies, allowing electricity to be generated without requiring large areas of additional land. In the case of the Diyajanani project, the solar array has been established on Ibbankatuwa Tank, a major reservoir in the Dambulla area, where the panels occupy a defined section of the water surface.
The use of a reservoir for renewable-energy generation reflects the broader potential of Sri Lanka’s existing infrastructure. Water bodies that already support agriculture, fisheries and local livelihoods may also contribute to the national energy system when carefully planned projects are introduced with appropriate technical and environmental safeguards.
The location also provides a strong visual representation of Sri Lanka’s changing energy landscape: a modern solar installation positioned within an established rural environment, linking the country’s long tradition of water-resource management with contemporary clean-energy engineering.
Tangible environmental and economic benefits
The most immediate benefit of the Diyajanani plant will be the addition of 5 MW of renewable electricity to the National Grid. Although the project represents one installation within a wider national energy programme, its projected annual output is expected to support the needs of thousands of households while reducing the volume of diesel required for electricity generation.
The reported annual saving of approximately 2.5 million litres of diesel has both environmental and financial significance. Reduced diesel consumption means lower carbon dioxide emissions and less exposure to the volatility associated with imported fossil fuels. At the same time, the estimated US$3 million annual foreign-exchange saving could strengthen the country’s energy security by reducing the need to allocate scarce foreign currency to fuel purchases.
The expected reduction of approximately 6,440 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each year further demonstrates how renewable-energy projects can contribute to national environmental objectives. These figures are especially relevant for a country seeking to increase the share of sustainable energy in its electricity mix while supporting reliable power supply for households, businesses and public institutions.
The project therefore represents more than a new power station. It is an example of how energy infrastructure can be designed to address several national priorities simultaneously: electricity generation, fuel-import reduction, emissions control and the development of local technical capability.
Local engineers and technicians at the centre of construction
A defining feature of the Diyajanani project is that it was constructed by Diyajanani (Pvt) Ltd with the support and expertise of local engineers and technicians. The project’s reliance on Sri Lankan technical professionals provides an important demonstration of the capabilities available within the country’s engineering and renewable-energy sectors.
Major infrastructure projects are often assessed according to their capacity, cost and completion schedule; however, the development of local expertise is equally instrumental to long-term progress. When engineers and technicians participate in the design, construction, installation and operation of renewable-energy facilities, knowledge is retained within the country and can be applied to future projects.
Approximately 150 people from the surrounding community were also provided with employment opportunities during the construction period. This local participation created an economic link between the power project and the residents living near Ibbankatuwa Tank, ensuring that the benefits of construction were not confined to the plant itself.
Community welfare initiatives accompany the project
The Diyajanani development also included a series of community welfare initiatives covering religious, educational, environmental and livelihood-related needs.
A generator and a financial donation of Rs. 800,000 were provided to the Sri Vivekarama Temple for construction work on its Dhamma Hall. The initiative is expected to assist the temple as it continues to serve the surrounding community and develop facilities for religious and educational activities.
The local fishing community received a grant of Rs. 2,000,000 to construct mud ponds and purchase fishing equipment. This support acknowledges the importance of fishing-related livelihoods in the reservoir area and provides resources intended to strengthen the community’s productive capacity.
Under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, Rs. 1,000,000 was donated to establish a green park. Such a facility could provide a practical environmental benefit while creating an accessible public space for residents, particularly if it is maintained as a clean and welcoming area for community use.
Education was also included among the project’s priorities. A donation of Rs. 800,000 was made to provide all students of Anakatava Primary School with the school equipment and other materials required for the year. A further Rs. 400,000 was donated towards Weera Mohan Jayamaha School and the implementation of a water project.
Together, these measures illustrate a broader approach to infrastructure development, in which a renewable-energy project is accompanied by targeted assistance for schools, community facilities, environmental improvement and local livelihoods.
Ceremony marks a wider energy ambition
Following the unveiling of the commemorative plaque marking the connection of the Diyajanani plant to the National Grid, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the control room and inspected the plant’s operations.
The occasion was attended by Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake, Member of Parliament Kumara Jayakody and other local elected representatives.
Also present were Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, officials of the Ministry of Energy and the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, as well as chairpersons and senior officials of the successor companies of the Ceylon Electricity Board. Representatives from the private sector, including WindForce PLC Managing Director Manjula Perera, also attended the event.
The range of participants reflected the multiple institutions required to advance renewable energy successfully, from government ministries and public authorities to technical specialists and private-sector developers.
A constructive model for future progress
The commissioning of the Diyajanani Floating Solar Power Plant provides Sri Lanka with a positive example of how local engineering, renewable-energy investment and community welfare can be brought together within one development.
Its projected capacity to supply electricity for approximately 7,500 households, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, save diesel and preserve foreign exchange gives the project a clear national significance. Its use of local engineers and technicians, together with employment opportunities for approximately 150 residents during construction, adds an important social and economic dimension.
For Sri Lankans living in Australia and around the world, the project offers a timely illustration of the country’s capacity for practical innovation. Through platforms such as eLanka, positive developments in Sri Lanka can be shared with the global Sri Lankan community, encouraging greater awareness of achievements in engineering, sustainability and community development.
The Diyajanani project demonstrates that Sri Lanka’s renewable-energy future can be advanced not only through large national policies, but also through carefully implemented projects that make productive use of existing resources, strengthen local capability and return tangible value to surrounding communities.
This article was written based on the source https://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/diyajanani-floating-solar-power-plant-constructed-on-ibbankatuwa-tank-in-dambulla-connected-to-the-national-grid/, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.
This article was written based on the source https://www.newswire.lk/2026/09/18/locally-built-floating-solar-plant-to-save-sri-lanka-usd-3-million-annually-2/, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.
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