European Union Supports Accredited Solar Training to Accelerate Clean Energy Transition
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 9 April 2026: The European Union (EU), through the Accelerated Industries Climate Response Sri Lanka (AICRSL) Project implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), facilitated the handover of advanced Solar PV training and demonstration equipment to five Technical Colleges across Sri Lanka. The ceremonial event was held today at the Department of Technical Education & Training (DTET) in Colombo.
This timely intervention, carried out in response to a request by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), represents a significant step toward strengthening Sri Lanka’s renewable energy workforce. By equipping Technical Colleges in Gampaha, Matara, Badulla, Warakapola, and Jaffna with modern, hands-on training systems, the initiative directly contributes to national efforts to accelerate the adoption of clean energy while addressing critical skills gaps in the sector.
A key impact of this support lies in enabling Technical Colleges to meet formal accreditation requirements for delivering Solar PV training programs. With access to industry-standard equipment, including on-grid and off-grid demonstration systems, solar panel structures, and installation tools, institutions are now better positioned to offer certified, high-quality training that aligns with national standards. This not only enhances the credibility of these institutions but also ensures that graduates enter the workforce with practical, job-ready skills demanded by Sri Lanka’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector.
A senior representative of PUCSL noted, “This initiative comes at a crucial time as Sri Lanka scales up renewable energy deployment. As the sector regulator, it is essential to ensure the safety of electrical systems, and high-quality workmanship is critical to achieving proper installations. In this context, strengthening technical training capacity is vital to meeting national energy targets while ensuring the sustainability of the Solar PV industry in Sri Lanka.”
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka initiated efforts in 2023 to strengthen Solar PV training within the national technical education framework, recognising it as an effective pathway to establishing a sustainable education system for the solar PV sector. These training programs are designed to support the development of a skilled workforce capable of delivering safe, efficient, and standards-compliant Solar PV installations across the country.
With the addition of solar PV training facilities at these five centres supported by the EU, the total number of centres facilitated by PUCSL on Solar PV training will increase to eight, expanding access and ensuring more equitable training opportunities for students across Sri Lanka.
Ms. D. Wathsala Marambage, Director General of DTET, emphasised the transformative impact of the equipment, stating, “Meeting accreditation requirements has been a major challenge due to limited access to modern training infrastructure. With this support, we can now deliver accredited Solar PV courses with improved quality, expand our training programs, and ensure our students gain hands-on experience that meets industry expectations.”
The EU’s support under the AICRSL Project underscores its continued commitment to promoting sustainable industrial development and climate action in Sri Lanka. By linking accreditation, skills development, and renewable energy adoption, this initiative will create a strong foundation for long-term impact, empowering institutions, enhancing workforce readiness, and advancing the country’s transition to a low-carbon future. The project is a Rs. 2.8 billion (€7.56 million) contribution funded by the European Union under the Global Climate Change Alliance+, and in partnership with the Sri Lankan Government and UNIDO. It is designed to help the country’s industrial sector cut its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 13 per cent by 2035. This project is also supported by the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and the Ministry of Energy.
The event featured remarks from DTET, PUCSL and AICRSL project representatives, followed by the symbolic handover of equipment to the participating Technical Colleges.