Huawei celebrates Sri Lanka’s 1 gigawatt solar energy milestone

Huawei Sri Lanka recently marked a significant achievement with Sri Lanka reaching a total solar energy capacity of 1 gigawatt (GW) by 2024. 

This milestone was celebrated at an event held last week at the Shangri-La Colombo, which gathered Government officials and stakeholders to highlight collaborative efforts in the renewable energy sector.

Huawei Sri Lanka, together with its partners, has contributed 40% towards this achievement. The achievement was in line with the Power Ministry’s “Soorya Bala Sangramaya” initiative.

Supported by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), and Lanka Electricity Company Ltd. (LECO), this initiative promotes the installation of small solar power systems on rooftops of residential, commercial, and institutional buildings.

Power and Energy Secretary Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, as the Chief Guest, addressed the gathering and acknowledged the joint effort that led to this milestone. He highlighted that the goal of adding 1000 MW of solar electricity to the national grid by 2025 is being advanced through the combined contributions of the public, service providers, and private sector partners. He expressed confidence that the new legal framework will address challenges and support future energy targets.

“There are challenges ahead, but together, I am confident that new initiatives and collaborations will strengthen the process. This will enable all stakeholders to reach their targets in the coming years. I would like to extend my thanks to Huawei and the SLSEA for contributing to achieve this milestone,” he said.

In his welcome address, Huawei Sri Lanka CEO Zhang Jinze (Zeh) highlighted the company’s role in reaching this milestone, noting that Huawei’s contribution represented 40% of the total capacity. He also detailed the company’s ongoing efforts in solar energy technology, including advancements in battery storage, PV controllers, and other related technologies. 

“Looking ahead, Huawei is excited to continue making progress and achieving new milestones by increasing the adoption of grid-behind battery technologies. Our journey in solar PV has been promising, and we are eager to share our developments in energy storage systems, smart PV controllers, EV chargers, and large-scale energy storage solutions. In a country blessed with abundant sunlight, we are enthusiastic about contributing to a sustainable and renewable energy future. Thank you for your support and partnership as we continue to innovate and grow together,” he said.

The event also featured a presentation by Huawei’s Energy Storage Solution UK Sales Department Smart PV and BESS Service Solutions Director Ussama Rai. Rai’s presentation focused on grid flexibility, virtual inertia, and grid-forming technologies, as well as global trends and challenges in renewable energy.

The event highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing sustainable energy solutions. Huawei Sri Lanka remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s renewable energy initiatives and contributing to the country’s energy goals.