Wind, solar or nuclear: speedy action needed

When the economy collapsed in 2022, one of the hardest lessons was that energy insecurity can cripple the entire system. Power cuts, fuel queues, and import shortages didn’t just darken homes but also the country’s economic prospects. Two years later, the government has stabilised the energy supply, but the underlying vulnerability remains. Sri Lanka still imports nearly all its fuel, spends billions in foreign exchange on petroleum and coal, and depends on weather patterns for hydropower. Against this backdrop, talk of nuclear energy has emerged, with India, Russia, China, and even Japan expressing interest in future cooperation. 
But behind the interest—real or perceived—lies a simple question: is Sri Lanka ready for nuclear power—technically, financially, or institutionally? 
The long-term generation plan of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) includes the possibility of nuclear power around 2035, reflecting a global shift toward low-carbon energy. In principle, this makes sense. Nuclear energy offers power with near-zero emissions. It will reduce dependency on imported fuel. The appeal is obvious. 
Russia has lobbied under successive governments for investment in nuclear power here. India recently conveyed its willingness to assist in the process, and Japan has shown curiosity about Sri Lanka’s preparedness. Sri Lanka’s location and energy deficit make it a potential future market. 
Yet, the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken a cautious line, acknowledging that nuclear energy is part of the long-term plan but insisting that Sri Lanka is not yet ready for such a project. 
Nuclear power is not realistic overnight. Sri Lanka needs a dedicated regulatory framework, an independent nuclear authority, and technical human resources to handle such a high-stakes sector. Even advanced economies take years to establish safety protocols, emergency response systems, and waste management plans. 
Building a reactor is only the visible part of the process; the invisible part—training, licensing, institutional oversight, and disaster preparedness—is what determines success or failure. In a country still struggling with governance lapses in conventional energy projects, leaping into nuclear development without these foundations would be reckless. 
The renewed interest in Sri Lanka’s nuclear potential is not only about energy. It is also about geopolitics. Russia, China, India, and Japan all see the Indian Ocean as a strategic space for technological influence. Nuclear cooperation offers both prestige and presence. For Sri Lanka, this means that any engagement in nuclear power cooperation automatically involves broader diplomatic equations. 
Sri Lanka’s renewable energy potential remains vastly underutilised. Solar, wind, and biomass together account for less than a fifth of the generation mix, despite having some of the best wind corridors and solar irradiation in South Asia. Scaling up renewables is far less risky, financially and environmentally, than entering the nuclear domain prematurely. 
Yet, there is another argument. Dependency on solar irradiation and wind is not always sustainable because of climate change. It is unpredictable, as argued by some experts. Then, in the realisation of near-zero carbon emissions, nuclear energy becomes an option. But the involvement of Russia alone will trigger geopolitical complications. Any tripartite cooperation among Sri Lanka, India, and Russia can ward off pressure from elsewhere. 
Actually, regional power trade with India offers a practical alternative. The proposed power grid interconnection between Sri Lanka and southern India, if realized, could allow two-way electricity trade—giving Sri Lanka access to cheaper power during shortages and providing India with an export market for surplus renewable energy. Russian investment in nuclear energy here, with a buyback agreement with India, can be a viable solution if Sri Lanka is really keen on nuclear energy. 
No matter what, the government is not prepared to take swift action. It is moving at a snail’s pace. The last government had made some progress in drafting new legislation to regulate nuclear power. Now, the new government has sought to review the process and begin afresh. The government is taking a cautious approach. It is extremely careful in navigating geopolitical intricacies. It will definitely have second thoughts on collaboration with Russia in the development of nuclear energy. 
Be that as it may, as far as energy security is concerned, Sri Lanka needs to act faster. Otherwise, another energy crisis will be inevitable. One has to sow the seeds today for harvesting later. Demand for electricity keeps rising.   The country has to give up coal power generation at one point.  Then, more and more new plants are needed. That is not only for domestic requirements but also for export markets.   The government should make measured steps, but speed is also important in doing so.  There is no time to be wasted any more. The country has suffered enough. Enough is enough.