On Sri Lanka’s Mannar Peninsula, local fishing communities have expressed growing frustration over the impact of a wind turbine project on their livelihoods. Since the installation of the turbines six years ago, fishermen say their catches have significantly declined, fueling opposition to the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure in the area.
The Mannar wind farm, operated by the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), began operations in 2020 with 30 turbines generating a total of 104 megawatts. Construction has recently started on an additional 14 turbines, while plans for a third phase involving 52 turbines, initially awarded to Indian conglomerate Adani, were cancelled by the Sri Lankan government in 2025 due to a pricing dispute.
Local fishermen, some of whom have worked the waters since childhood, attribute the decrease in fish populations to the turbines. Venkatasamy Kalimuththu, 65, described how catches that were once abundant have become sparse, composed mainly of small fish and seaweed. Without scientific data to confirm their claims, residents speculate that the rotating blades and their shadows deter fish from approaching the shallows, altering the marine environment.
The presence of the turbines has also been linked by villagers to environmental challenges beyond fishing. Residents in villages near the coast, such as Benedict Mary Vijiliya’s community, report that the construction of turbine foundations and access roads has obstructed natural drainage, leading to waterlogging and flooding during rains.
While opposition is grounded in concerns over local environmental and economic consequences, some community leaders emphasize that they are not against renewable energy in principle. Lesley Jesurajan, a prominent member of the local civil society group OPEnE, stated that alternative locations exist for wind projects and urged careful consideration of local impacts.
The dispute occurs amid broader economic pressures in Sri Lanka, where escalating fuel and electricity prices—partly influenced by geopolitical developments in the Middle East—have increased the urgency to expand renewable energy sources. The government faces the challenge of balancing national energy needs with the livelihoods and environmental well-being of affected communities.
Additionally, fishermen have cited increased competition from Indian trawlers in the Gulf region as another factor impacting fish stocks, complicating the attribution of causes for the decline.
As debates continue over the future of the wind energy project on the Mannar Peninsula, local residents remain determined to either dismantle existing turbines or halt further development in the area, underscoring the tensions between sustainable energy ambitions and local socioeconomic concerns.