Sri Lanka took a major step toward energy independence this week as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presided over the groundbreaking of the country’s first utility-scale wind project backed by Chinese turbine giant Envision Energy.
The 50 MW Mannar Wind Power Project, located in Sri Lanka’s northern coastal region, represents more than just infrastructure—it’s a strategic pivot for an island nation that has been hammered by fuel import costs and energy blackouts in recent years.
Why Mannar Matters
The Mannar region has long been identified by Sri Lankan authorities as prime territory for wind development, thanks to its consistent coastal wind patterns. But until now, the area has remained largely untapped for large-scale renewable generation.
That changes with this project, which will deploy 10 of Envision Energy’s EN-156/5.0 MW turbines—each standing 110 meters tall to capture the region’s high-altitude wind resources. Once operational by March 2027, the wind farm is expected to generate 207 million kWh of clean electricity annually, enough to power approximately 100,000 homes.
For a country that imports over 50% of its energy needs and saw widespread power cuts during its 2022 economic crisis, the project couldn’t come at a better time.
Local Champions, Global Technology
While Envision Energy is providing the turbines and technical expertise, the project is being driven by local conglomerate Hayleys PLC through its subsidiary HayWind One Limited. This marks a deliberate strategy to blend international technology with Sri Lankan execution capacity.
“By bringing Envision’s world-class technology to Sri Lanka for the first time, we are ensuring that the transition to green energy translates into more affordable electricity for people across the country,” said Hasith Prematillake, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The project team has deployed Sri Lankan engineers and project managers to handle the complexities of coastal construction, from salt corrosion management to grid integration.
“We are proud to demonstrate that Sri Lankan talent is fully capable of delivering renewable energy projects on a global scale,” added Roshane Perera, Director/CEO of Hayleys Solar.
Built for the Long Haul
Envision Energy has customized its turbines specifically for Mannar’s harsh coastal environment. The company is providing a high anti-corrosion solution to protect the turbines from salt spray and humidity, along with full-lifecycle operations and maintenance services over the project’s 20-year design life.
Winston Xu, General Manager of Envision Energy’s Southeast Region, emphasized that the company’s approach goes beyond hardware delivery: “By combining wind technology for complex coastal environments with global delivery and service capabilities, Envision Energy aims to deliver higher energy output, enhanced reliability, and long-term value to Sri Lanka’s national grid and communities.”
What’s Next for Sri Lanka’s Wind Sector?
The Mannar project is expected to serve as a template for future renewable developments in Sri Lanka. The government has prioritized wind and solar capacity additions as part of its broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and stabilize electricity costs.
If successful, the Hayleys-Envision partnership could unlock a pipeline of similar projects across Sri Lanka’s northern and eastern coastal regions, which have remained largely undeveloped for wind despite favorable conditions.
