An approach to analyse key renewable energy technologies: A case from Sri Lanka

Though Sri Lanka has the highest potential to self-sufficient with renewable energy as of year 2012 more than 70% of country´s electricity requirements were met with imported fossil fuels. Most of the renewable energy technology options have been analysed based on technical grounds. But studies indicate that numbers of social, technological, economic, environmental and political factors are also hindering the sector´s development. Accordingly, the objective of the paper is to analyse the renewable energy technologies on non-technical grounds. The analysis was conducted in four phases. First expert selection, second a list of renewable energy technologies were shortlisted, third initial list of technologies were prioritized based on two variables, and finally key renewable energy technologies were selected. The results indicate that wind and biomass based electricity generation are the two promising renewable energy technologies. However substantial policy assist is a must for both sectors to operate in large scale.