SAARC Training Workshop on ‘Financial Modeling for Renewable Energy Projects’ Conducted on 5–7 October 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka
The SAARC Energy Centre (SEC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy of the Government of Sri Lanka, successfully concluded a comprehensive three-day “Training Workshop on Financial Modeling for Renewable Energy Projects” held in a hybrid mode from October 5–7, 2026, at the Hotel Galle Face in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Bringing together energy sector professionals, policymakers, and financial experts, the high-level event featured active in-person participation of delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, and host Member State Sri Lanka, alongside virtual delegates from Nepal and Pakistan.
The workshop officially commenced on October 5, 2026, with a distinguished inaugural session graced by Hon. Minister Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Energy, Government of Sri Lanka, as a Chief Guest, while Mr. G. M. R. D. Aponsu, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, delivered a visionary keynote address for the technical session. The inaugural ceremony was also attended by distinguished diplomats of SAARC Member States in Sri Lanka, including H.E. Mr. D.M. Salahuddin Mahmud, High Commissioner of Bangladesh; H.E. Mr. Masood Imad, High Commissioner of the Maldives; H.E. Maj. Gen. (R) Dr. Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner of Pakistan; Mr. Vijay Kumar Raut, Chargé d’ Affaires a.i, Nepal; and Mr. Iftikhar Hussain, Second Secretary of the High Commission of Pakistan.
Designed as an intensive capacity-building program, the three-day agenda bridged high-level policy dialogue with rigorous practical training through four core pillars: Member State Policy & Global Trends, featuring country presentations on national renewable energy frameworks, global energy trends, and regional market architecture; Project Finance & Modeling Tools, exploring the fundamentals of project finance, risk-return profiles, and Modeling software tools such as SAM, CREST, and RETScreen; Hands-On Tariff Modeling, where interactive working exercises allowed country teams to build comprehensive tariff models from scratch—covering capital costs, revenue blocks, debt service schedules, DSCR/covenants, and sensitivity/scenario testing; and an insightful field visit to the Aitken Spence 10MW Waste-to-Energy plant in Colombo.
This specialized training has equipped delegates and participants with advanced technical expertise with hands-on financial modeling. The knowledge imparted during the training workshop will ensure that SAARC Member States are better positioned to design bankable renewable energy projects as well as to attract private and international climate financing enabling them for accelerated transition toward sustainable, low-carbon regional energy
economies.
This workshop marks another significant milestone in strengthening collaboration
and cooperation among the SAARC Member States.
SAARC Energy Centre
Islamabad, 08 October 2026
