Mannar HayWind 50 MW wind project: final turbine shipment arrives in Sri Lanka

newswire.lk

by eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 points

The final batch of turbines for the 50 MW HayWind wind farm in Mannar, Sri Lanka, has arrived at the Port of Trincomalee. Installation is already underway after the first shipment reached the country weeks ago. The project secured a power purchase agreement at USD 0.0465 per kWh, the lowest wind power tariff ever recorded in Sri Lanka. Once operational, it is expected to cut carbon emissions by roughly 186,300 metric tonnes per year and save around Rs. 4.7 billion in annual fossil fuel import costs. The wind farm supports Sri Lanka's target of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and its net zero goal for 2050. Construction started in January 2026, with completion scheduled for March 2027. Hayleys Fentons PLC will handle turbine installation and maintenance, while the National System Operator manages grid integration.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

50 MW at 4.65 cents per kWh is a solid tariff for wind in South Asia. The 186,300 tonnes of CO2 avoided per year is a decent claim but I would like to see the calculation basis. Still, good to see Sri Lanka moving on wind after years of delays.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

4.65 cents is low but not unheard of for wind in that region. The bigger question is grid integration. Mannar has decent wind resource but the transmission lines from the north to the load centers in the south are weak. Hope the NSO has a plan for curtailment.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

The PPA at that price suggests the project got some kind of concessional financing or tax break. Without that, the economics would be tight. Also worth noting the 70% renewable target by 2030 is ambitious for Sri Lanka given their current fossil fuel dependence. This project helps but they need a lot more.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

186,300 tonnes of CO2 per year for 50 MW works out to a capacity factor around 30-35% which is reasonable for onshore wind in that region. The real test will be whether the grid can absorb the power without frequent curtailment. Sri Lanka's transmission backbone is old.

solar_winds_05·2 months ago·1 pts

March 2027 completion date gives them about 20 months from start of construction. That is tight for a 50 MW wind farm in a country with limited heavy lift capacity. If the turbine supply chain holds up and the grid connection is ready, they might make it. But delays are common in Sri Lanka.