Sri Lanka seeks global investors for green hydrogen and ammonia projects to boost clean energy exports and energy security.
Sri Lanka has embarked on an ambitious initiative to become a regional leader in the green hydrogen and ammonia economy, formally inviting local and international investors to participate in the development of related projects across the island. The Ministry of Energy and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) jointly issued a Request for Information (RFI) on April 23, 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's clean energy transition. The RFI process, which closes on June 5, 2026, aims to attract qualified investors, developers, and project operators to submit proposals covering the entire value chain, from production facilities and storage infrastructure to export terminals and component manufacturing.
This strategic move is primarily driven by Sri Lanka's pressing need to bolster its national energy security and reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels, which have historically underpinned its economy but also led to vulnerability to global price volatility and domestic crises. Simultaneously, the island nation is committed to ambitious climate goals, targeting 70% of its electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030 and achieving full carbon neutrality in power generation by 2050. Sri Lanka's National Hydrogen Roadmap, published in 2023, outlines a strategic course to leverage its abundant offshore wind and solar resources, which significantly exceed domestic demand, for a thriving green hydrogen economy.
The expected consequences of this initiative are far-reaching. Economically, Sri Lanka aims to generate an annual export revenue of one billion US dollars from the green energy value chain by 2030, catalyzing billions in foreign and domestic investment and creating thousands of skilled jobs. The country's strategic location along major maritime routes is expected to enhance its appeal as an export hub, positioning it to supply clean-burning fuels to energy-hungry markets across Asia and beyond. Geopolitically, this could establish Sri Lanka as a key regional player in the global green hydrogen market, contributing to global decarbonization efforts.
Industry-specific impacts will see significant development in the renewable energy sector, particularly in solar and wind power, which will feed the electrolyzers for green hydrogen production. Green hydrogen and ammonia are crucial for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping, steelmaking, fertilizer production, and transport. The government also plans to scale up its electrolyzer capacity to 30 GW by 2048 to achieve carbon neutrality, supported by a National Policy on Renewable Hydrogen and ongoing feasibility studies, including partnerships for Green Mobility pilots and a Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen. This comprehensive approach underscores Sri Lanka's commitment to a sustainable and economically resilient future.
