Sri Lanka opens tender for 250MW battery storage as the country seeks international investors to support grid stability and accelerate renewable energy integration through one of its largest energy storage initiatives to date.
Sri Lanka opens tender for 250MW battery storage to strengthen the national power grid
Sri Lanka has launched an international competitive tender for a 250 MW/1000 MWh Standalone Battery Energy Storage System, marking a significant step in modernising the country’s electricity infrastructure and supporting its long-term clean energy ambitions.
According to the Board of Investment (BOI), the project is being implemented by the National System Operator (Pvt) Ltd., operating under the Ministry of Energy. The initiative will establish a large-scale Battery Energy Storage System across the country on a Build, Own and Operate (BOO) basis, providing investors with an opportunity to participate in Sri Lanka’s evolving power sector.
The project has been structured as 25 individual projects, each with an AC capacity of 10 MW/40 MWh, to be installed across 25 grid substations island-wide. The distributed approach is designed to improve power system reliability while enabling the national grid to accommodate a growing share of electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
In a statement, the BOI described the project as a major opportunity for both international and domestic developers, noting that energy storage will play an increasingly important role as Sri Lanka expands solar and wind power generation.
The planned facilities will be connected to the national grid at 33kV and will operate under a 15-year Energy Storage Agreement. The selected substations include key locations such as Ambalangoda, Ampara, Bolawatta, Chunnakam, Hambantota, Kurunegala, Matara, Galle, Monaragala, along with several other strategically selected sites across the country.
The Sri Lanka opens tender for 250MW battery storage initiative is expected to enhance grid flexibility by storing surplus electricity generated during periods of high renewable production and releasing it during peak demand. This capability is becoming increasingly important as countries transition towards cleaner energy systems that rely on variable power sources such as solar and wind.
Industry analysts note that utility-scale battery storage projects have become a critical component of modern electricity networks worldwide. By improving grid stability and balancing electricity supply and demand, battery storage can reduce power interruptions, optimise renewable energy usage and strengthen energy security.
The international bidding process is now open, with proposal submissions due by 10.00 a.m. on 14 August 2026. Interested parties may purchase the Request for Proposal (RFP) documents until 13 August 2026 at 10.00 a.m.
The document fee has been set at Rs.150,000 for local applicants and US$500 for overseas investors. Further inquiries regarding the tender process can be directed to the National System Operator via [email protected].
The Sri Lanka opens tender for 250MW battery storage programme reflects the country’s broader efforts to attract private investment into strategic infrastructure while advancing the transition towards a more resilient and sustainable electricity system. As renewable energy capacity continues to expand, large-scale storage projects are expected to become a key pillar in ensuring reliable power supply and supporting long-term economic development.