Sri Lanka said it is carefully assessing nuclear energy’s potential contribution to its long-term electricity needs, prioritising safety, international safeguards and evidence-based decisions.

Sri Lanka is examining whether nuclear power could form part of its future electricity mix, with safety, security and international safeguards placed at the centre of the evaluation. The assessment comes as the island nation seeks reliable, affordable and sustainable low-carbon electricity while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The island nation’s Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Chrishantha Abeysena, outlined the government’s position while representing Sri Lanka at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Sixth International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Energy in Incheon, South Korea. He attended alongside Professor Tushara Ratnayake, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, and a national delegation.

The minister stressed that the current process is not a decision to introduce nuclear power but a structured examination of whether it can deliver tangible benefits. “The Government aims to determine whether nuclear power could provide a reliable, affordable and sustainable source of low-carbon electricity,” he said. Evidence-based decision-making, robust institutions and international cooperation were highlighted as essential for any long-term energy strategy.

Cautious Evaluation Under IAEA Framework

Sri Lanka is in the final stage of Phase One of the IAEA’s milestone approach for countries considering nuclear power. This phase focuses on assessing whether nuclear energy is appropriate given national circumstances, infrastructure readiness and outstanding technical issues. The priority is to give the government a solid foundation for an informed decision.

Nuclear power already appears in the base case of the Ceylon Electricity Board’s Least-Cost Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan 2025-2044, which envisages a 600 megawatt unit entering the system in the 2040s. Officials note that a single large unit of this size would pose technical challenges for Sri Lanka’s relatively small grid, especially as the generation mix is expected to include a growing share of intermittent renewables. Smaller modular reactors have been flagged as a possible future option once the technology is proven.

Even if a positive decision is eventually taken, substantial preparatory work would remain. This includes site selection and characterisation, choice of reactor technology, grid integration studies, financing arrangements, regulatory strengthening and institutional capacity building. Safety, security and safeguards would remain non-negotiable throughout.

Energy Security Pressures and Climate Goals

Sri Lanka’s electricity system has long balanced hydropower with thermal generation based on imported coal and oil. Hydropower typically contributes around 30 to 40 per cent of generation, depending on rainfall, while coal and oil make up a substantial share of the remainder. Solar and wind capacity has expanded in recent years, supporting the national target of generating 70 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

The country’s heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels has repeatedly exposed it to price volatility and foreign-exchange pressures. During periods of low rainfall, thermal generation must increase to maintain supply, raising costs and import bills. Grid stability concerns have also emerged as solar and wind penetration grows, occasionally requiring curtailment of renewable output.

These pressures form the backdrop to the nuclear study. Nuclear energy is viewed internationally as a dispatchable low-carbon source that can complement variable renewables and reduce exposure to fuel-price shocks. Yet for a developing economy still recovering from the severe economic crisis of 2022, the capital intensity, long lead times and specialised regulatory demands of nuclear power require careful scrutiny.

International Cooperation and Regional Context

Professor Abeysena expressed the expectation that international partners would support Sri Lanka’s ongoing nuclear energy study and planning programme. The country has long cooperated with the IAEA on peaceful nuclear applications, including nuclear medicine, and has hosted review missions focused on infrastructure development.

Discussions at the Incheon conference, which brought together ministers and experts from around 60 countries, focused on the challenges and opportunities of nuclear deployment, including financing, small modular reactors, regulation and workforce development. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi underlined the growing global interest in nuclear power as electricity demand rises and countries pursue energy security and climate goals.

In South Asia, India and Pakistan already operate nuclear power plants, while Bangladesh is advancing its first reactors. Sri Lanka’s approach remains deliberately measured. In early 2026 the country declined an offer of nuclear cooperation involving a small modular reactor from Russia, with the foreign minister stating that the present emphasis is on renewable energy.

Institutional and Regulatory Foundations

Responsibility for nuclear-related institutions has been reassigned. The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Council now fall under the Ministry of Science and Technology. A comprehensive nuclear law has been drafted, candidate sites identified, and a management structure established to oversee any future procurement process. A roadmap covering 2024-2035 sets tentative milestones for site work, establishment of the regulatory body and owner/operator, invitation of bids and possible start of operations around the mid-2030s.

Officials emphasise that any programme would have to meet the highest standards of regulation, emergency preparedness, radioactive waste management and sustainable financing. Public confidence and transparent decision-making will be critical in a country where energy policy has often been contested.

Balancing Ambition with Realism

Sri Lanka continues to expand renewable capacity and strengthen its grid. Recent initiatives include World Bank-supported programmes aimed at adding substantial solar and wind capacity while improving system flexibility. Private investment and improved regulatory frameworks are seen as essential to meeting the 2030 renewable target.

Nuclear power, if pursued, would be a longer-term addition rather than a near-term substitute for renewables. Its potential role is framed as part of a diversified, low-carbon portfolio capable of supporting industrial growth, economic recovery and climate commitments.

Sri Lanka’s careful process illustrates the dilemmas facing many developing countries. The desire for energy security and cleaner power is clear, yet the institutional, financial and technical thresholds for nuclear energy remain high. By following the IAEA milestone approach and prioritising evidence over haste, Sri Lanka is signalling that any eventual decision will rest on a thorough assessment of national needs and capabilities.

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