Sri Lanka Advances Nuclear Plans with IAEA Backing and Infrastructure Gains

Sri Lanka has taken another significant step forward in its path toward establishing a national nuclear energy programme, according to a recent assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). A follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission, requested by the Government of Sri Lanka and conducted from 14 to 18 July 2025, concluded that the country has made notable progress in addressing key recommendations provided during the earlier Phase 1 INIR mission in 2022.

The recent review marks a critical point in Sri Lanka’s journey toward embracing nuclear energy as part of its long-term strategy to ensure a secure, reliable, and sustainable energy future, particularly as it transitions toward a low-carbon economy.

From Vision to Action: Sri Lanka’s Nuclear Journey

The idea of nuclear power in Sri Lanka dates back to 2010, when the Cabinet first approved a feasibility study. This initiative gained momentum with the establishment of the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) in 2019. NEPIO brings together key institutions including the Ministry of Energy, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB), Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council (SLAERC), and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

In 2024, the government made a pivotal decision to formally explore the role of nuclear power in its future energy mix, a decision that led to the follow-up INIR mission this year.

Key Outcomes of the 2025 Follow-Up INIR Mission

Led by John Haddad from the IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section, the mission team included international experts from Bulgaria and Türkiye, along with IAEA staff. Their primary objective was to assess how far Sri Lanka had progressed in implementing the 26 recommendations and 6 suggestions issued during the 2022 Phase 1 INIR mission.

Their conclusions were largely positive:

• Five candidate sites for nuclear power plants have been identified.

• A management structure to guide the procurement and decision-making process for nuclear reactor acquisition is now in place.

• A draft nuclear law has been developed to regulate and support nuclear activities in the country.

• Nuclear power has been formally included in the Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LCLTGEP) 2025–2044 by the CEB.

These advancements reflect a heightened level of institutional commitment and preparedness to proceed to the next phases of the IAEA Milestones Approach, which guides countries through the complex, multi-phase process of building nuclear energy infrastructure.

Technical and Regulatory Challenges Ahead

Despite these strides, the mission team acknowledged that several critical areas still require focused development. These include:

• Finalizing a national strategy for radioactive waste management

• Human resource development, particularly building a skilled nuclear workforce

• Enhancing stakeholder engagement to build public trust

• Strengthening industrial involvement to ensure local participation in future plant construction and operation

• Addressing grid integration challenges, especially the technical complexity of incorporating a >600 MWe nuclear power unit into Sri Lanka’s current electricity grid, which is expected to be dominated by variable renewable energy sources

The mission also noted the importance of aligning nuclear power development with Sri Lanka’s grid stability, demand growth, and climate goals. As nuclear projects require decades of planning and execution, ensuring robust institutional frameworks and long-term policy continuity remains essential.

IAEA Support and Collaborative Activities

Sri Lanka has actively engaged with the IAEA through a series of technical missions and workshops in recent years:

• In November 2023, Sri Lanka hosted a national workshop on nuclear law, ensuring that its legislative framework aligns with global nuclear safety and non-proliferation norms.

• In 2024, a Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) mission was conducted to assess the robustness of the site selection process. A follow-up SEED mission was held in July 2025 to provide further insights and validate improvements.

These collaborations underscore Sri Lanka’s openness to international best practices and its desire to build a credible, safe, and transparent nuclear energy programme.

A Vision for a Sustainable Energy Future

In his remarks during the INIR opening session, Hon. Eng. Kumara Jayakody, Cabinet Minister of Energy, hailed the mission as a “significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey toward a secure, sustainable and forward-looking energy future.” He emphasized the country’s growing need for energy security, especially amid global fossil fuel volatility and increasing climate-related challenges.

By incorporating nuclear power into its official long-term energy plans, Sri Lanka joins a growing list of countries recognizing nuclear as a zero-emission baseload energy option, essential for balancing intermittent renewables like solar and wind.

About INIR and the Milestones Approach

The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) is a critical tool offered by the IAEA to assist countries in assessing their readiness for nuclear power. It follows the Milestones Approach, which breaks nuclear development into three phases—consideration, preparation, and construction—each with its own set of infrastructure requirements across 19 thematic areas.

These include legal and regulatory frameworks, financing, waste management, human capital development, grid compatibility, and safety protocols. Follow-up missions, like the one completed in July 2025, are designed to track a country’s progress and guide the next stages of implementation.

Looking Ahead

As Sri Lanka continues to develop its nuclear infrastructure, the IAEA mission recommends that the country maintain momentum and address the remaining gaps through strategic planning, regional partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives.

Whether or not Sri Lanka ultimately chooses to build its first nuclear power plant, the preparatory work being done now will lay the groundwork for informed decision-making and long-term energy resilience. The next few years will be crucial in transforming vision into reality, with nuclear energy potentially playing a key role in powering a cleaner and more energy-secure Sri Lanka.