It is estimated that there is nearly 5000 km2 of
windy areas with good-to-excellent wind resource
potential in Sri Lanka. About 4100 km2 of the total
windy area is on land.
This windy land represents about 6% of the total
land area (65,600 km2) of Sri Lanka. Using a conservative
assumption of 5 MW per km2, this windy land could
support more than 20,000 MW of potential installed
capacity. The windy lagoon areas are estimated to
encompass 700 km2 with a potential installed capacity
of 3500 MW.
The combined potential for Sri Lanka is estimated
to be more than 24,000 MW. There are 5 provinces
with at least 1000 MW of wind potential. Additional
studies are required to accurately assess the wind
electric potential, considering factors such as
the existing transmission grid and accessibility.
If additional areas with moderate wind resource
potential (which could likely become feasible in
the near future with further advancements in wind
technology) are considered, the estimated total
windy land and lagoon areas increases to more than
11,000 km2, or about 15% of the total land area
of Sri Lanka.
This amount of windy area could support more than
51,000 MW (55,000 MW if lagoons are included) of
installed capacity. There are 7 provinces with more
than 2000 MW of wind potential.
