In Sri Lanka’s Mannar, green energy sparks grey concerns.
For about a decade now, successive governments in Sri Lanka have sought to tap Mannar’s strong winds to power the island’s transition to green energy. But renewable energy projects – existing and proposed – have left local communities increasingly fearful about the possible impact on their environment and livelihoods.
Residents in villages across Mannar district, on Sri Lanka’s north-western coast, report recurring flash floods in recent years, growing demand for land from both the government and private companies, the constant noise from wind turbines near their homes, and a shrinking fish catch. They fear that the growing number of renewable energy projects could be contributing to these changes.
If decades of war meant contending with deaths, disappearances, and displacement, the post-war years have forced another struggle upon the people of Mannar – for development that meets their needs.
“We are often asked if there is scientific proof linking these changes to the renewable energy projects. Sometimes, everyday lived realities of people reveal more than science does,” said Fr. G.A. Arulraj Croos, Director, Caritas Valvuthayam, the social arm of the Catholic Diocese of Mannar. “It is a survival issue, not merely an environmental concern.
”Residents have no scientific evidence to substantiate their claims so far. But they contend that authorities, too, have not shown them research that rules out any impact on their environment.
“We can only tell you what we see and experience. The course of waterways in our village has changed. We can see the coastline eroding,” said a resident of Arippu village. “Following land acquisitions in the district to accommodate wind turbines, rainwater does not drain out like before. We are frequently experiencing floods,” he said. They [the authorities] think we oppose everything.
Harnessing the winds: Thirty towering turbines line the southern coast at the Ceylon Electricity Board’s Thambapavani wind farm – Sri Lanka’s first large-scale wind project. Conceived in 2018 to add 104 MW to the national grid, the nearly $200-million project was inaugurated in late 2020 by then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, when his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa was President.Less than a year later in October 2021, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani met Mr. Gotabaya to discuss the Colombo port terminal project that Adani Ports was executing. He also discussed potential renewable energy projects and visited Mannar. Five months later, the CEB signed an agreement with Adani Green for a $500-million 500 MW wind power project. The Rajapaksa administration approved the investment without a competitive bid, triggering a prolonged controversy.
The succeeding Ranil Wickremesinghe administration, too, cleared the project in Mannar and nearby Pooneryn in 2023.One of the biggest FDIs to come into the island after a devastating economic crisis, the project soon faced challenges from environmental groups and local communities. It was in the spotlight until Adani Green pulled out in 2025, even as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government resisted the company’s “excessive” power purchasing tariff.
In the wake of persistent protests from locals voicing fears about the apparent environmental impact of the projects, including their impact on a key bird corridor that draws seasonal flamingos, the Cabinet decided late last year to halt all new wind power projects on Mannar Island. President Dissanayake instructed authorities not to proceed with future projects “without the consent of the people living on Mannar Island”. Meanwhile, government is pressing ahead with projects already decided upon.
Residents are reassured that new projects are on hold, but they do not know what to make of ongoing projects being executed by local firms. “The government needs to tell local communities what these projects are about, how much land they need, what benefits they will bring to local community and what environmental risks are,” said M.A. Ameerrun Nisha, member of local council.Sri Lanka’s total installed energy capacity is 6,345 MW, with peak demand of about 3,000 MW, and most of country’s demand is met by hydropower. Government aims to add 300 MW from renewable energy sources to national grid by end of next year, according to Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas. Pointing to “economic strain” from energy imports, Mr. Ilyas told The Hindu: “Some months we are spending nearly 30% of our foreign reserves to import fuel. Our aim is to reduce it to 10%.
”On apprehensions of locals and environmentalists, he said: “We are aware of their concerns and are taking them on board. I have been visiting villages to better understand their issues, so we can raise awareness and respond constructively. We are working to ensure that projects benefit locals by generating jobs and enhancing development prospects.”