The second phase of the 350-megawatt Sobadanavi Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Power Plant at Kerawalapitiya was integrated into the national grid last Wednesday under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, marking a milestone in Sri Lanka’s energy sector.
The Sobadanavi plant, the largest and most efficient combined-cycle power station in the country, will meet around 12% of the nation’s current electricity demand. Built in two phases, it now delivers its full capacity of 350 MW—220 MW from the open-cycle stage and an additional 130 MW from the steam turbine commissioned in June.
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said that energy independence was “vital for national development,” warning that reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports had left the country vulnerable both economically and strategically.
“One of the main obstacles preventing us from moving out of the deep economic crisis is the unbearable cost of energy,” she said. “Our objective is to shift towards renewable sources, reduce electricity tariffs, and make Sri Lanka the country with the lowest energy costs in the region. Without energy independence, even national security can be at risk.”
The Sobadanavi project, designed entirely by Lankan professionals, also supports long-term national targets—generating 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Its state-of-the-art F-class turbine can operate with a 30% hydrogen blend, future-proofing the plant against global energy shifts.
Energy Minister Engineer Kumara Jayakody hailed the project as a testament to local engineering expertise, while LTL Holdings CEO Nuhuman Marikkar praised the dedication of Sri Lankan engineers and workers.
