Boost for SL’s renewable energy integration and power infrastructure innovation

by Ifham Nizam

Speaking to The Island Financial Review at MR Customer Day in Colombo, Shri Suppiah, chairman, OLEX Projects, outlined the company’s strategic vision for Sri Lanka’s evolving power sector.

He reaffirmed OLEX’s commitment to aligning with the Results Delivery Framework of the Ministry of Energy, focusing on renewable energy integration and digitalization of power systems.

“As Sri Lanka moves towards a smarter, greener and more resilient energy sector, OLEX remains committed to driving innovation in power infrastructure, said Suppiah. “Our collaboration with Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen (MR) is not just about bringing world-class technology but about ensuring a stable, efficient and future-proof energy system for the country.”

He said “Rivi Bala Punarudaya” Solar Energy Program aims to integrate 2,000 MW of solar power into the national grid within the next five years.

Suppiah highlighted the challenges of grid stability and voltage regulation that arise with large-scale renewable energy integration.

“OLEX, with the advanced technologies of MR Germany, is committed to ensuring a smooth transition to solar energy, he stated. “We are providing cutting-edge transformer solutions that guarantee grid efficiency and power quality, even as renewable energy penetration increases.”

Suppiah also emphasized the shift from reactive to predictive transformer maintenance through AI-driven monitoring. With renewable energy sources like solar and wind causing fluctuating loads and voltage variations, real-time monitoring and automation have become essential for grid reliability.

“Traditionally, transformer failures led to unexpected outages and costly repairs, he explained.”With AI-powered monitoring solutions, we can predict failures before they occur, ensuring a more stable and efficient power system.”

OLEX, in collaboration with MR, is deploying advanced digital grid modernization tools to enhance transformer performance, optimize load management and improve overall energy security.

Rebecca Dewes, Sales Engineer at MR, echoed Suppiah’s sentiments, emphasizing MR’s long-standing commitment to Sri Lanka’s power sector.

“As the global leader in On-Load Tap Changer (OLTC) technology, MR is dedicated to empowering Sri Lanka’s energy sector with reliable, innovative, and high-performance solutions, said Dewes.”Our collaboration with OLEX strengthens our ability to deliver world-class transformer technology tailored to Sri Lanka’s unique power demands.”

With 97% of Sri Lanka’s electricity flowing through MR’s OLTC technology, Dewes reiterated that MR is a trusted partner in ensuring power grid efficiency, stability, and reliability.