Sri Lanka has launched the first project under a programme to add 300 megawatts (MW) of solar power to the national electricity grid.

The 3MW ground-mounted solar project was inaugurated in Veyangoda yesterday (13) under the patronage of Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka.

The project is expected to generate around 6.35 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually for the national grid.

Sri Lanka aims to meet 70% of its energy requirements through renewable sources by 2030.