Leading Sri Lankan industries curb energy use cutting costs and carbon

Forty-five representatives from some of Sri Lanka’s biggest industrial energy users, energy consultants and relevant government departments have successfully completed a one year-long internationally-recognised energy management course. The energy management plans they implemented as part of the course have already saved 7,200 metric tonnes of GHG emissions, which is the equivalent of taking more than 1,000 petrol cars off the road for 1 year.   

The programme was supported by the European Union-funded project ‘Accelerating Industries’ Climate Response in Sri Lanka’, the organisers said in a media release.

“The manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of our economy,” said Chief Guest, Minister of Health and Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana at the graduation ceremony.  “Our recent energy crisis and the global climate crisis made it very clear that we must find alternatives to fossil fuels. That’s why I am so excited to see some of our biggest players in the manufacturing sector looking at how they can reduce energy waste. It’s a critical part of the clean energy solution for this country.”

European Union Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Carmen Moreno said: “Geopolitics of the energy crisis leaves countries dependent on fossil fuel hugely vulnerable. A shift to green and renewable energy is needed in Sri Lanka and worldwide. And this is an area in which the European Union can share significant experiences and knowledge. Clean energy transition, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and enhances the quality of life, is among our top priorities. For that reason, we support initiatives like this one and we are happy to see local industry leaders gaining practical skills and advancing their companies toward energy efficiency.”

There is considerable potential for reducing industrial energy waste across Sri Lanka’s manufacturing sector by deploying cost-effective technology and management practices. To harness this potential, over the past 12 months, two leading United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) trainers with the support of the National Cleaner Production Centre guided this first group through an internationally recognised training course on Energy Management Systems (EnMS).

“In an industrial plant, energy management systems focus everyone’s attention on the importance of not only conserving energy, but implementing measures that can save energy and reduce emissions,” said UNIDO Project Manager Nicholas Dehod. “That’s where the journey of moving away from fossil fuels starts.”

The course covered global best practices, but also took participants out of the classroom into their work environments where they developed energy management systems that are tailored to their company’s needs.

The EnMS training is part of the ‘Accelerating Industries’ Climate Response in Sri Lanka’ project. This 5-year, €7.56-million initiative is funded by the EU’s Global Climate Change Alliance+ (GCCA+).