Nuclear Power

Nuclear Power Study and planining programme is functioning under the purview of Ministry of Energy (MoE) since 2019 and achieved significant progress as per the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standard milestone approach. In addition, Nuclear power is identified as an energy source within the Base Case of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Least Cost Long-Term Generation and Expansion Plan 2025–2044 and approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).

In 2010, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approved the initiation of studies for implementing a nuclear power programme in the country. In 2019, a Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) was established to coordinate related efforts, which included the Ministry of Energy, the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council (SLAERC). In 2024, the government decided on further actions to consider a nuclear power programme.

In addition, the CEB had been authorized to consider nuclear power as an option for its Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan with technical inputs from IAEA. The roadmap was developed in collaboration between Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB), CEB and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council (SLAERC) under the purview of MoE.

Government’s Vision:Sri Lanka’s energy policies focus on energy security, diversification, and sustainability. Nuclear power will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and meeting international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and UN SDG 07 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

Carbon Neutrality:The nuclear programme aligns with Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the UNFCCC, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. Nuclear power as an energy source within the Base Case of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Least Cost Long-Term Generation and Expansion Plan 2025–2044 approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL);

Section 09 of the Electricity Amendment Act of 2025 amended section 5 of the Electricity Act No. 36 of 2024 by replacing the expression “least cost economic dispatch“ with the expression “security constrained economic dispatch”. Therefore, it appears that least cost long-term generation and expansion plan 2025 – 2044 referred to in this recommendation would also have to be amended to reflect the above.  

Pursuant to the enactment of the Electricity Act No 36 of 2024 as amended by the Amendment Act of 2025, CEB will cease to exist, with effect from the Appointed Date,  referred to in the said Act. Accordingly, duties and obligations of CEB will be handled by a new company incorporated under the said Act. Since the said Act proposes to set up multiple companies, the company to which duties and obligations will be transferred as well. 

A nuclear energy programme roadmap with a number of activities with tentative dates and a strategic timeline to develop the required infrastructure of the nuclear power project throughout the years of 2024 – 2035 was developed including conducting site(s) selection and characterization, environmental impact assessment, establishing the regulatory body and owner operation and issuing Bid Invitation Specification by 2027 and the construction and start of operation of the NPP by 2034.

The development of the roadmap considered elements related to the inclusion of nuclear power in the energy mix such as increased electricity demand (5- 6%), decarbonisation, environmental protection, desalination needs, hydrogen production, aging of the existing diesel generation plants and the ability to build SMR. In addition, the roadmap considered the time and resources needed for developing the required nuclear infrastructure and for the contracting, licensing, construction and operation stages.

Sri Lanka hosted a national workshop on nuclear law in November 2023, as well as an IAEA  Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) mission in 2024, which reviewed the country’s selection process to identify candidate sites to build its first nuclear power plant. A SEED follow up mission was also conducted, which took place in July,2025