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Box 4.1 Energy sector targets in the Energy Empowered Nation development plan
Increase the share of electricity generation from renewable energy sources from 50% in 2014 to 60% by 2020 and finally to meet the total demand from renewable and other indigenous energy resources by 2030
(...)
Increase generation capacity of low cost thermal power plants fired by natural gas and biomass to 2,000 MW to reduce the generation costs and to diversify generation mix by 2020
(...)
Reduce annual energy demand growth by 2% through conservation and efficient use
(...)
Reduce the carbon footprint of the energy sector by 5% by 2025

Sri Lanka's Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA), created pursuant to the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Act No. 35 of 2007, established a target to reach 100% countrywide electrification by 2015; this has been achieved. At the same time, the mix of energy generation was to be altered to reduce energy generation from crude oil from 54% to 8% by 2015, while at the same time introducing coal and increasing non-conventional renewable energy to 10%. This was also achieved.

The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy has mandates with respect to the formulation of power and renewable energy policies, projects, and monitoring. It also has roles in overseeing rural electrification, development of renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Under its responsibility are the Lanka Coal Company, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council.

For the fossil fuel sector, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources Development is responsible for programmes and policies for both down- and up-stream petroleum activities. (...) Also under the Ministry are: (...) Polypto, for making petrol from waste plastics.

Changes to the legal framework for the energy sector during the review period include the enactment of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Act No. 40 of 2014 for the promotion and encouragement of nuclear science for national development purposes. The Act also establishes the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council.

Electricity in Sri Lanka is generated from a number of sources, but the majority is generated by thermal power plants and conventional hydro plants, accounting for about 72% and 33%, respectively, of electricity generation in 2014. The remainder is comprised of small hydro plants, wind power plants, biomass power plants, and solar power plants, accounting for about 10% of electricity generation. Sri Lanka has achieved a national electrification level of 100%, and the demand for electricity continues to grow at about 4-6% per year.

The sector is mainly controlled by a state entity, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), which is responsible for generating, transmitting, distributing, and marketing electrical energy in Sri Lanka. (...) The private sector is involved in the operation of some thermal (oil) power plants and the renewable sector.

The electricity sector is guided by the 2009 General Policy Guidelines on the Electricity Industry for the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka. The guidelines give high priority to: (...) energy conservation and safety issues.

Polypto Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. was incorporated as a limited liability company under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007 for the waste plastic into fuel conversion project. Initially a pilot project was started and successfully completed by the end of 2010. A plant was commissioned in September 2015 and it is expected to produce 2,000 litres of fuel per day.

There are many government bodies at the national or provincial levels involved in manufacturing policy or the actual manufacturing of goods in Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is the main ministry providing support for the manufacturing sector. It is responsible for promoting industrial development within the wider policy framework of the Government; its recent policy formation has put an emphasis on having a diversified high value added industrial base and promoting high economic growth and environmentally sustainable industrial development. (...)