Sri Lanka's
Energy Savers
Prabhasara Jayarathne
"Energy used to be a line item. Now it’s a strategy."
For Prabhasara Jayarathne, Head of Engineering for Eco Spindles Pvt Ltd, energy is no longer just about powering machines, it’s central to building a more sustainable future for his company, his industry, and his country. And finding innovative ways to optimize energy is what gets him out of bed.
Eco Spindles is a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s circular economy. The company collects and recycles PET plastic waste, turning it into yarn and filament for the textile and apparel industries as well as cleaning products. Their products are used both locally and by international brands such as Decathlon and Nike. But what sets them apart isn’t just what they produce, it’s how.
“We’re not just the only company in Sri Lanka making yarn directly from PET flakes. We’re the only one in the world doing it at a textile-grade level without the intermediate chip-making step,” Jayarathne says. “That saves huge amounts of energy and water.”
Avoiding the energy-intensive chip production process is just one way Eco Spindles is reducing its environmental impact. The company has also invested in rooftop solar panels and uses biomass to power its facilities. It runs public campaigns and collection networks across the island nation to recover plastic bottles before they end up in landfills or the ocean.
Still, when Sri Lanka’s electricity tariffs for industrial users tripled in 2022 due to the country’s economic crisis, the energy footprint of manufacturing became impossible to ignore. Jayarathne, who oversees both the yarn and recycling operations, knew his team had to go further.
“Our electricity costs rose from 11 to 36 rupees per unit. Energy suddenly made up more than 30 per cent of our product cost. We couldn’t afford to keep doing things the same way.”
That’s when he enrolled in UNIDO’s Energy Management Systems (EnMS) training. Graduating in 2023, he gained the tools to establish energy baselines, apply regression analysis, and identify savings that didn’t require massive investment.
“Even before we spent a rupee, we found ways to cut 4 to 6 per cent of our energy use by fine-tuning how we ran our machines,” he explains. “After the training, we set a company-wide energy policy and committed to cutting energy use by at least 4 per cent annually.”
The results speak for themselves. Over the 2024 calendar year, Eco Spindles saved more than 351,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity – roughly LKR 9.7 million in avoided costs – just by optimizing operations across its production lines. These changes also helped the company meet its emissions reduction targets under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), as required by international buyers like Decathlon.
“We used to talk in vague terms about savings. Now, thanks to the training, I can show our board real graphs and real numbers,” Jayarathne says. “That’s how you convince people to change.”
As part of the UNIDO training, Eco Spindles was selected as one of the companies to be audited and visited by fellow trainees. That peer audit, Jayarathne says, turned out to be an invaluable opportunity. “It pushed us to prepare and organize everything to a higher standard. Getting feedback from other professionals, seeing how they approached things. It gave me fresh ideas and new perspectives.”
Since graduating, Jayarathne has also taken on a new role as a local trainer supporting the next cohorts of energy managers. Through the programme, he’s built strong professional networks with peers across industries. “Many of them now head engineering teams in their own companies. We stay connected, share ideas, and visit each other’s plants to help improve.”
Looking ahead, he wants to deepen his global understanding of energy and sustainability and is exploring international courses to sharpen his skills. “There’s still so much to learn. And if I can help other factories save energy, reduce costs, and meet climate targets, then I know I’m making a difference.”
Jayarathne sees energy management not just as a technical challenge, but as an opportunity to rethink how businesses operate and how they can lead by example.
“People think sustainability is expensive,” he says. “But doing nothing costs more.”
Jeewaka Samarasekara
"We shouldn’t save energy just to save money. We should save energy to save energy, because it’s priceless."
Jeewaka Samarasekara, Head of Facilities Management Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC, sustainability is more than a professional duty, it’s a passion that shapes both his work and his daily life. As Head of Facilities Management for the World Trade Center Colombo, owned by Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC, he is in charge of one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic commercial buildings, and one of its largest energy users. His goal: to make it one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the country.
With qualifications in mechanical and marine engineering, a master’s in building services engineering, and an executive MBA, Samarasekara combines strong technical knowledge with practical leadership. Over his 18-year career, including the past seven at Overseas Realty, he has led teams, introduced new sustainability projects, and delivered results that can be measured. Recognising his leadership and impact, Samarasekara received the Merit Award for “Outstanding Energy Manager in Sri Lanka” in 2014.
Under his leadership, the World Trade Center Colombo became the first commercial building in Sri Lanka to earn ISO 50001 certification for energy management. Remarkably, the entire certification process was handled internally. By steering the initiative with clarity of vision and drawing on prior knowledge and experience, he empowered his team to deliver results that reflected both technical excellence and a strong commitment to sustainable innovation.
Since certification in 2019, the building’s energy performance has improved every year. Over the past five years, initiatives have reduced specific energy consumption by 10 per cent, saving around 1.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. These improvements were supported by investments of about LKR 175 million in efficiency upgrades:
- LKR 30 million to upgrade the Building Management System
- LKR 60 million to replace a 900-ton chiller (improving efficiency from 0.6 kW/TR to 0.4 kW/TR, saving 120,000 kWh per year)
- LKR 35 million for new cooling towers (saving 200,000 kWh per year)
- The replacement of over 10,000 light bulbs with LEDs (saving 60,000 kWh per year)
Sometimes, the biggest savings came from simple changes. For example, by adjusting air conditioning schedules to match when offices were actually in use, the team avoided running cooling systems unnecessarily in the late afternoon. “It may seem like a small thing,” he says, “but in a building of nearly 100,000 square metres, it makes a big difference.”
The sustainability agenda also includes water conservation including rain water harvesting, waste reduction, indoor air quality, and corporate social responsibility projects. Each year, the facilities team trains university students, not only in technical operations but in the value of sustainability. “We share what we learn with others and we learn from them too,” Samarasekara says. “That way, everyone improves together.”
Given Sri Lanka’s energy mix with about 40 per cent still coming from fossil fuels, large commercial consumers like the World Trade Center Colombo have an important role to play. “We are among the top 20 energy consumers in the country,” he explains. “That gives us a huge responsibility to lead by example.” Every year, his team has a set target to cut specific energy use by at least 2 per cent, and this is built into their performance goals.
Samarasekara’s commitment extends beyond the office. At home, he has introduced efficiency measures and installed solar panels, making his household net zero in electricity use. This personal drive is one reason he joined UNIDO’s Energy Management Systems (EnMS) training, delivered in Sri Lanka through the Accelerating Industries’ Climate Response in Sri Lanka (AICRSL) project.
Recommended by a colleague, the training proved one of the most valuable he has attended. “I’ve done many courses, but this was different,” he says. “It wasn’t just about explaining the standard, it was about how to apply it in real life. The section on energy review was excellent. It gave me new ideas on how to improve our systems and pass on that knowledge to others.”
Samarasekara completed the Energy Expert Training Programme in 2024 and graduated in late August 2025. He says the training helped him better identify opportunities for savings and integrate energy management into long-term planning.
Looking forward, he has big plans for the World Trade Center. These include a 400-kilowatt solar power installation, another high-efficiency chiller with variable frequency drive (VFD) technology, and modernising the building’s elevator system with regenerative braking to cut energy use by about 30 per cent. New regulations from the Securities and Exchange Commission will also require detailed sustainability reporting, which he believes will drive even greater progress.
But for Samarasekara, the main motivation isn’t compliance or even cost. “Energy belongs to all of us,” he says. “Whether renewable or non-renewable, it comes from our environment. We all have a duty to use it wisely.”
His advice to other industry leaders is straightforward: “Don’t just save energy for financial reasons. Make it part of who you are. Learn about new technologies, build your skills, and commit to long-term improvement. When you save energy, you save money too, but most importantly, you protect the future.”
Lallini Croos
“I’m not just working for the company—this is about my children’s future. When I see the changes we've made at Finlays, I feel like I’m part of something bigger. I encourage others to do the same, because we are all responsible to leave behind a sustainable tomorrow for our children.”
Lallini Croos, Sustainability Manager at Finlays Colombo, says that what motivates her to work on sustainability is simple.
As the world faces growing environmental challenges, businesses must step up. Lallini’s story is proof that by making conscious energy choices today, we can create a more sustainable tomorrow – and that the time to act is now.
During her more than 20 years at Finlays Colombo —which is part of Finlays, a global B2B company that specialises in tea, coffee, and natural extracts—Lallini has witnessed firsthand the evolving landscape of sustainability. Starting as a microbiologist, her passion for sustainability led her to take on the role of Sustainability Manager in 2013, where she now drives initiatives across Finlay Colombo’s beverage packing, tea warehousing and green tea factory operations.
Finlays Colombo’s beverage packing and warehousing operations are based in Colombo, where until recently 99 per cent of the site was powered by electricity from the national grid plus a standby diesel generator. The green tea factory, based in Haldummulla, uses firewood for 70 per cent of its energy, with the remainder coming from grid electricity. The Finlays Group has committed to becoming net zero by 2040 and to halving its Scope One and Two emissions by 2030.
Promoting energy-saving practices within Finlays Colombo wasn’t easy at first. Lallini says she faced resistance, as many within the company did not see immediate cost benefits due to the lower tariffs granted to industrial operations. “There was a lack of awareness about the long-term impact of climate change,” she says. “Managers were hesitant to change their practices, viewing energy savings as a non-priority.”
But by continuously engaging with the production and engineering teams, Lallini was able to drive the necessary changes. Her approach was not about forcing immediate results, but about building understanding and support for long-term benefits.
The energy crisis in Sri Lanka reinforced the importance of energy independence for Lallini and her team. “It was a lesson for us that energy prices are critical, and depending on a single energy source can be a huge risk for smooth business operations,” she says, adding that “while business options in the country may be limited, resilience and preparedness are essential to face the challenges. This crisis underscored the need for backup plans that align with Finlays Colombo’s overall strategy and commitment to energy efficiency.”
It was in 2022, during the energy crisis, that Lallini came across a flyer for the UNIDO Energy Management Systems training (EnMS) and put the case forward for her and the factory engineer to participate.
“I knew we had already made significant strides in reducing electricity usage, but this training gave us the tools to take it further. It taught us how to set baselines, analyze energy data, and identify where the biggest improvements could be made,” she says.
As a result, the company has implemented a Smart Meter system to track electricity consumption across different divisions. This data is now being used to set a target for reducing electricity usage by 2026 and to achieve ISO 50001 certification by 2024.
Energy efficiency improvements are already being made. For example, the tea bagging machines are now being monitored to capitalize on peak/off peak production patterns. And the business case is being put forward to purchase more efficient equipment and motors for air conditioning units and the compressed air systems that are used for maintenance and cleaning.
Beyond energy efficiency, the company is shifting to renewable energy. In October 2023, Finlays Colombo installed a 470 kilowatt rooftop solar system on one of its plants, located in Welisara, which is now powering 50 per cent of the site with renewable energy. A second solar rooftop system with a 214 kilowatt capacity is currently being installed at the company’s green tea factory in Haldummulla, while a further 116-kilowatt extension is planned for the Welisara plant in 2026. These are significant milestones in the company’s commitment to mitigating its greenhouse gas emissions.
In August 2024, Finlays Colombo gained the Ecolabel-Sri Lanka mark, part of the Global Ecolabelling Network, something the company’s improved energy management contributed to.
“We had ISO 14000 in place, we had our quality systems in place, but this UNIDO EnMS programme gave us an added advantage because the analysis of the electricity consumption improved,” explains Lallini.
Lallini is determined to keep finding ways to save energy. For this, she says a “two-way approach” consisting of process improvement and behavioural change is essential, as is teamwork. “You need the engineering team, the maintenance team and the production teams to plan and work in synergy,” she says.
S.K Dinusha Madurangi
“I believe that energy saving should start from your own self. If I am going to save energy, my children will save energy, my family will save energy, my industry will save energy, then my country can save energy.”
Dinusha is industrial energy auditor, energy consultant and visiting lecturer. She has been supporting Sri Lankan industries to save energy and make their operations sustainable since 2021. She works with a range of sectors, including hotels, textiles, food and beverages, dairy manufacturing and the tire industry.
“I am part of energy audit teams, providing expert consultancy to optimize energy systems, and I share industrial knowledge through academic and professional journeys,” she says.
“As an energy consultant, I’m committed to helping industry transition to sustainable energy solutions that contribute to a greener, more resilient future for Sri Lanka. Addressing climate change is not just about energy, it’s about ensuring economic stability, environmental sustainability, and the wellbeing of future generations in Sri Lanka. The time for action is now, and we have a role to play in driving the shift towards the low-carbon economy.”
Dinusha witnessed first-hand how Sri Lanka’s energy crisis affected all aspects of business operations across different industrial sectors, from production to transportation, and also made companies more aware of the need to save energy and move away from imported fossil fuels. But she has also seen common barriers arise when many companies, especially small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), try to make these changes.
“A lack of knowledge and lack of capital are main challenges I have seen in the past period,” she says.
“When we consider solar power projects, the business needs capital, a big investment, to implement it…When it comes to thermal energy… they have to turn their boiler operations from [using] furnace oil to biofuel and, again, this is a big initial cost for the operation.”
For this reason, Dinusha has seen some SMEs focus on energy efficiency as it can require less initial investment than renewables. But many companies do not know how to accurately calculate their baseline for energy usage, which makes it difficult to find meaningful savings.
It was in 2022, in the midst of the energy crisis, that Dinusha participated in the UNIDO energy management system (EnMS) training. The course helped her hone her knowledge on implementing structured energy management systems that align with international standards, particularly ISO50001.
“I’ve found the training highly beneficial. It’s provided practical tools and methodology for conducting energy audits, analysing energy performance and developing action plans that drive continuous improvement. The knowledge is not only helping me in my role as an energy consultant, but it is also equipping me to support clients in achieving their long-term sustainability goals. [It] allowed me to learn from best practices in other countries, which can be adapted to local contexts.”
Dinusha has supported around 10 organizations to bring in energy saving measures and two industries to implement ISO50001 since doing the training, and says she has seen the difference this can make.
“From the ISO50001 policy, all of the industrial employees get knowledge about what is the energy saving methods? What is the energy saving methods in our company, [what’s the impact of] even a single person trying to switch off the light?
“I believe that energy saving should start with your own self. If I am going to save energy, my children will save energy, my family will save energy, my industry will save energy, then my country can save energy. Without turning to big capital costs, they can start saving energy with good practices.”
One of the most significant energy saving projects Dinusha has worked on since the EnMS course has been with a food and beverage manufacturer.
“Before we were involved, they didn’t know about a steam trap survey and how it is directly relevant to steam system optimization,” she says.
“There were 26 steam traps in the system, and there were 12 steam traps that failed during the audit. So when we calculated the high energy wastage in steam, they found they could reduce the steam-generation capacity within their operation and it will be able to increase their steam-to-fuel ratio. They can save significant energy.”
From this, Dinusha was able to convince the company to implement ISO50001. Through this process, staff learnt how to collect the right kind of data to establish their baseline and monitor their energy use, including which equipment and practices were most energy intensive. They analysed the performance of their generators, chillers and air compressors, and identified many leaks in their production system, which led to yet more savings.
Driven by her belief that energy saving starts from the individual onwards, Dinusha has teamed up with other consultants to educate pupils on energy use. They have worked with two schools so far and have plans to work with more in the future.
“As I said, energy savings can start from the family: first from myself, then the family, then it should go to school level. After that, when pupils get to higher education, they can get involved with more [energy saving] practices in their industries.”
In this way, Dinusha is not only helping industrial businesses to save energy, but is building knowledge among the next generation on ways to protect the planet on which we all rely.
Sanjeewanee Samaraweera
“Energy is a challenge—not only in terms of cost but also in terms of sustainability. Therefore, we must educate people to shift their attitudes in a way that positively supports these efforts.”
Sanjeewanee Samaraweera is the Head of Quality Assurance and Process Development at Pussalla Meat Producers (Pvt) Limited, Sri Lanka’s largest poultry company. In her role, she says she regularly sees the impacts of climate change.
“We are experiencing rising of temperatures and we are experiencing erratic weather patterns, and it impacts on our operations as well as us as a country.”
Pussalla Meat Producers operates across the entire food chain, from ‘grandparent’ farms, through to breeder farms, broiler farms, hatcheries, animal feed mills, processing factories, further processing factories and consumer-facing outlets. It has 20 operational sites in total plus 135 of its own meat shops.
“We are an energy-intensive business because we have to use freezing and cold storage,” explains Sanjeewanee. “All our poultry houses are modern poultry houses with environmental controls, which means we have to use energy to manage the internal environmental condition of poultry houses, from grandparent [farms] to broiler farms.”
The company relies on grid electricity from the national Ceylon Electricity Board to power its farming and factory operations, using around 9,460 kVA per month across its 20 sites.
Sanjeewanee joined the company in 2017 as Quality Assurance Manager. Her main focus was on quality and food safety management plus the company’s environment management system. Through the environment management work at that time, the need to save energy was beginning to surface, and a goal of reducing electricity use by 10% over a one-year period was set, but projects tended to be ad-hoc. In 2019, when Sri Lanka’s energy crisis broke, the company’s electricity use became a bigger concern.
“It was a challenging period for the country,” says Sanjeewanee. “Energy was one of the biggest challenges …there was energy interruption, and we had to use diesel as an alternative to run our generators.
“Having electricity supply the whole time is a main requirement to run our operation. If you don’t have energy for few minutes that will directly impact the entire operation because all of our farms are fully environmentally controlled and our products are frozen or chilled, so we have to have energy all the time.”
In response, Dilshan Wewita, the company’s managing director, devised a strategy to transition all business operations to solar power by 2027 as a part of the company’s corporate plan.
The work to install solar panels on six sites began in late 2023. Together, these sites will generate 3,460 kVA per month, equivalent to around 36% of the electricity needed to run operations with the capacity to expand further in future. This stage of the project is nearing completion and should be finalised by September 2024.
“It’s a really big investment, but company management thought that going for the renewable energy project is a timely decision,” says Sanjeewanee. “One thing is about cost, the other is about climate change…If you want to reduce the carbon footprint, we have to focus on more sustainable strategies.”
In 2022, Sanjeewanee was promoted to Head of Quality Assurance and Process Development, where she is now responsible for overseeing all of the company’s quality, food safety and environment management alongside training and development. She describes energy as a “new area” for her, but is pleased to be learning more about it.
To build her knowledge, Sanjeewanee participated in the year-long UNIDO Energy Management Systems (EnMS) training, completing the course in November 2023. She says this has been invaluable for understanding the correct way to analyse energy utilization and the relationship between significant energy uses and energy consumption. This knowledge helped her and colleagues understand that the way they had set and measured their annual 10% energy-use reduction target had been incorrect.
“Knowing the correct approach is really important, especially when it comes to the ISO 50001 standard. Even though I’m very familiar with the main food safety, quality, environment and occupational health and safety standards, this standard was really new for me…I had to rethink the way we used [to do things]…”
Work towards gaining ISO50001 will begin in 2025. In the meantime, Sanjeewanee is using her knowledge to spread awareness and change behaviours in the company, overseeing training that covers environmental management, including energy use, for around 1,000 staff per year.
“I’m really interested to give knowledge to the people,” she says. “Operationally, how they can behave, how their attitude can make a big change, and their knowledge about the systems and implementation. I’m giving the knowledge to the technical personnel as well; how they can calculate and identify influencing variables in energy evaluation and requirements in the standard. Because even though they are from a technical background, this evaluation, analysis and the calculations are new to some of them.
“As a food company, changing people’s attitudes and behaviours to create a quality culture is crucial, and we consistently focus on this. It is essential for us to maintain and grow our business sustainably. Energy is a challenge—not only in terms of cost but also in terms of sustainability. Therefore, we must educate people to shift their attitudes in a way that positively supports these efforts.”
Nilunga Wijerathne
“This is coming from the heart. Having children strengthens my resolve to ensure a sustainable world for them and future generations. We all have a role to play.”
When Nilunga was younger, he became president of his school’s environment society. He went on to gain a Master’s in Business Administration and built an impressive career in human resources with a chartered HR professional qualification. But his commitment to improving the environment remained, and it is now playing a more central role in his professional life too.
“I’ve worked with Dynawash for 18 years, mainly in a human resources and compliance role, but my passion is environmental sustainability,” he says, “so I am diverting my career from HR to sustainability as a way to focus on promoting environmental stewardship.
“Being an island nation, Sri Lanka is highly vulnerable to climate change. Rising sea levels and extreme weather events will significantly impact our communities.”
Nilunga recently joined the University of Colombo to study a Master of Environment Management.
“This is coming from the heart,” he says. “Having children strengthens my resolve to ensure a sustainable world for them and future generations. We all have a role to play in protecting our planet.”
Dynawash is part of the apparel industry. It is a washing and dyeing plant that caters for leading fashion brands from across the world. As well as HR Manager, Nilunga now works as the company’s Compliance and Sustainability Manager. This means he is responsible for ensuring Dynawash meets all brands’ technical, environmental, health and safety requirements and all corresponding requirements under Sri Lankan law.
Nilunga also acts as a compliance and sustainability manager at co-energi (Pvt), a specialist provider of sustainable and resource efficient designs in building engineering services, and he is a Higg verifier for UK-based company BluWin, a role that requires him to assess sustainability mainly for textile and apparel brands and manufacturers.
“[Dynawash] is mainly depending on the water, energy and chemicals, so resource efficiency is a must for us to sustain our business,” Nilunga says. “Our primary energy source is steam generated through the use of biomass boilers which is contributing over 30 per cent of our total energy need. We now source more than half of our biomass from sustainable fuel woods, which are certified under the SLS 1551:2016 standard, and 25 per cent of our electricity comes from the solar PV system.
In January, Nilunga began UNIDO’s Energy Management Systems (EnMS) training. The course combines classroom learning with a practical element in which training participants work in industrial plants to put their energy management knowledge to the test. A Dynawash factory has been selected as a candidate plant for trainees to conduct practical exercises in, which Nilunga says has been useful.
“Continuously we are monitoring our steam generation and utilizations of processes, and we have found some energy steam leakages. We have now implemented a preventive maintenance plan to optimize our energy use.”
Nilunga has also introduced running quarterly energy awareness refresher sessions and has begun marking Environment Day and World Water Day to celebrate the energy and water savings the company is making. Staff essay and poster competitions on sustainability are being held, not only for employees but for their children too. Under Nilunga’s watch, Dynawash is also engaging with the issue of biodiversity in Sri Lanka via a five-year mangrove restoration project at Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary.
“For every recipe that we dye, we are calculating the environmental impact in terms of chemicals, water, energy and employees’ health and safety. We have given targets to our R&D and sample departments to align all the recipes into Amber and Green level [to measure progress].
“I am engaging with all of this outside of my main HR role because my passion is for an environment-friendly world and environment-friendly company.”
Udesh Jayakody
“I know I'm here because I want to change things. I want to make it right for the organization and for the world.”
Udesh Jayakody is water, energy and environmental engineer, currently working for Best Pacific Textiles Lanka. Udesh is on a mission. Having worked as an engineer and a manager in multinational and Sri Lankan industrial businesses for more than 10 years, he is now using his knowledge and expertise to help the sector decarbonize by switching to renewable energy and reducing energy waste.
“It has been very difficult for me to accept the idea that I’ve been working for coal-consuming factories with many energy-saving opportunities [that are not yet taken up],” he says. “By burning coal, we are doing something wrong for the planet. But because I have chosen to stay here [in the sector], it has made it possible for me to enable technological transformation to begin the changes that are needed.
“If a person like me is not in this kind of facility to support these kinds of changes then real change doesn’t happen. I know I’m here because I want to change things. I want to make it right for the organization and for the world.”
Udesh trained as a chemical engineer. He graduated in 2009 from the University of Moratuwa then joined cement manufacturer Holcim Lanka as an operations engineer before moving to Brandix Textiles as an assistant manager in engineering. During this time he also completed MSc in Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.
In 2017, the decision was taken to close Brandix Sri Lanka and replace it with a joint venture between Brandix and Best Pacific, China, producing synthetic fabric and elastic under the name Best Pacific Textiles Lanka. Udesh was invited to join the project team, which included designing and constructing a new factory in Wayamba Industrial Zone, Makadura.
“We worked around one and a half years to build this factory,” he says. “Then we commissioned it, did trial runs, and it came into operation. Unfortunately, COVID-19 came and the production was affected, but now we are coming up. We have good orders, and now [June 2024] we are at 75% capacity. Next year, the plan is to reach full 100% capacity.”
The processes of dyeing and finishing fabric and elastic at the plant consume significant amounts of energy and water. Steam boilers and thermic heaters meet this energy demand, and when the plant was first designed, the investors were convinced that coal was the way to go.
“Being the boiler and water section manager, my role responsibility extends to energy manager,” says Udesh. “When we first started operation, coal was the primary fuel for thermal energy. But after a while, with the price change caused by the fuel crisis, the economy shifted and it was more economical to use biomass. At the same time, we started to look for more sustainable ways to continue production.”
Udesh is now in the process of ensuring the biomass used comes from sustainable supplies. He has also orchestrated the design of a large 6.34MW rooftop solar array, which is due for completion by the end of 2024. When the factory is running at full capacity this will provide 40 per cent of its electricity needs.
“This global warming concept and energy management is too complicated for many people to understand,” says Udesh. “Even the top managers, if they are not from a science background, find it difficult to comprehend what’s happening. The UNIDO EnMS [Energy Management Systems] programme taught us how to present the benefits to management in a way that a person from a non-technical background could understand.”
Since becoming operational, Best Pacific Textiles Lanka has introduced some energy efficiency measures. But these have been ad hoc, based on the experiences of individuals or other factories from the Best Pacific group in Vietnam and China.
“This method has worked very well until now,” says Udesh. “But now we need a more systematic approach. We need to find details, calculate the payback, and convince the management that we need to make these changes by presenting the results. That’s where the EnMS training comes in.”
In June 2024, Udesh was halfway through the year-long EnMS course and is already starting to see the benefits for his organization.
“We have guided some trainees to develop small energy-saving projects, which we didn’t think were possible before. With these small projects, we calculated the payback period and the investment needed, and then we presented this information to the management. By doing this, we got the management’s attention and demonstrated that these initiatives are feasible.”
Describing one such project to improve the efficiency of the plant’s three furnace boilers, Udesh says: “We had the idea more than two years ago, but we didn’t have the calculation to prove how much it would save [until the UNIDO training]. Once we calculated it, we understood it would save 14 million Sri Lankan rupees a year [US$43,000].
“I was asking for an assistant for this project…I showed my manager the numbers, and he said ‘okay, not one assistant, you take two’. We have shown management there are many projects like this, but we need more resources to execute them. This is how we have pitched it, and now it is easier for me to get the resources approved.”
After completing the course, Udesh wants to establish an energy management system in the company and achieve ISO 50001 compliance by the end of 2025. He says he is determined to succeed because he knows what is at stake.
“Climate change is a significant issue now and for the future. We have burned a lot of fossil fuel and made the planet hot, and now we are suffering the consequences. The industry is now aggressively switching to renewable energy, yet maintaining a sustainable supply of biomass will be a challenge. That will be another marathon for sustainability.”
Bamunawita Gamage Asanga Dinesh
“Combating climate change should be viewed as an insurance policy for future generations. As mankind we should think that energy efficiency, improvement and conservation is the best fuel ever to combat climate change.”
Dinesh works as energy manager and chief engineer for the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) RSC (WC). This is the principal authority providing safe drinking water and sanitation in Sri Lanka and provides around half of the Sri Lankan population with pipe-born water supply, serving about 3 million connections. The NWSDB is one of largest electricity consumers in Sri Lanka, using around 2.3% of total electricity generation.
The waterboard’s high rate of electricity consumption means it has long been aware of the need to manage energy efficiently. The organization formed an Energy Management section in 2008, and Dinesh was one of the section’s first employees. He joined the department as a mechanical engineer, responsible for energy auditing water supply schemes island wide (around 300) as well as the implementation of an energy proposal, management of an energy project, measuring and verification.
Dinesh is a cooperate member of Sri Lanka Energy Manager Association (SLEMA) and is also a Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Accredited Energy Manager. His specialized areas are energy conservation, auditing in centrifugal pumping systems and designing energy efficient city water supply systems.
His passion for energy conservation began during his studies. He graduated from the University of Moratuwa with a BSc in mechanical engineering before gaining Postgraduate Diploma in energy technology, then a Masters in Sustainable Energy Engineering in KTH in Sweden. While at NWSDB, Dinesh undertook further studies, completing a Masters of Energy Management at the Open University of Sri Lanka, and is currently studying a Master of Science in Energy for circular economy.
“The beginning of my interest in energy first came from my professor at university,” he says. “He encouraged us to focus on energy conservation, energy saving. He always said that saving energy is the best kind of fuel. I found this very interesting.
“I learned about climate change during my master of energy management: the Paris Agreement, the Nationally Determined Contribution of Sri Lanka, all these things. As a world we have to keep the average temperature below 20C, otherwise we are all going to have a problem. All together we have to face up to this – not just global society – each and every person has to contribute.”
Dinesh says he is already seeing the effects of climate change in Sri Lanka, and this motivates him to do more.
“Lot of things are happening due to climate change here. If you think about our organization, we supply water, but if due to climate change we have floods, we have droughts, we cannot manage the water supply system. In Sri Lanka, about 50 per cent of the population is living in the coastal areas, and the sea level is rising. Most of the houses that are there belong to the poor people, to the fishermen.”
Dinesh says the recent energy crisis has shown how vital it is to become energy secure.
“As a waterboard, our company is dependent on national grid. The government had to announce a more than 10-hour daily power cut due to fuel crisis, and there were huge queues for diesel. This directly affected continuous water production and water distribution. Most of the major water production plants had dedicated power lines, and the Ceylon Electricity Board managed to provide electricity to produce limited essential water for the general public. But some of the distribution pumping stations were affected by power cuts and continuous water supply was interrupted.”
In 2016, Dinesh was promoted to chief engineer and took his passion for energy efficiency with him to the new role. In January 2024, he joined UNIDO’s Energy Management Systems training which has shown him how to take the waterboard’s energy management to the next level.
“We run an energy conservation training programme for our staff, but after doing this course I am telling them no one will come to save us, we have to do it by ourselves, and we have to focus on it in a systematic way. I realized that the human factor is also are very important. We used to think about the technical matters – pumps, motors, pipe friction, and things like that – but now we realize that operational patterns, the personal behaviour of pump operators and plant operators, can sometimes be the main factor [in energy efficiency].”
So far, Dinesh has rolled out the new training in the Colombo western central, conducting trainings for top management, engineers and technicians. This helping to raise awareness not only about how people can save and manage energy in the workplace but also in their personal lives, something Dinesh hopes will help create lasting change.
“When I’m doing training, I’m focused on not only our water supply system but on what energy savings can be made in the household. Everything we do, we have to save energy. I always am telling this to my trainers. As mankind, we should think that energy efficiency, improvement and conservation is the best fuel ever.
Dinesh is planning to make further improvements to the waterboard’s and national energy management operations after completing the year-long course, and will continue raising awareness among staff about the need to care for the planet.
He adds: “Growth is a basic and unavoidable feature of the global capitalist economy as it is presently structured. As a result, consumption is promoted. The evidence of the seriousness of the risks from inaction or delayed action is now overwhelming. We risk damages on a scale larger than the two world wars of the last century. The problem is global, and the response must be collaboration on a global scale.
“My concern is energy management but also sustainable consumption and sustainable production and circular economy – these are things we need to think about for the future of mankind.“
Gayathri Sawindika Liyanage
“Research is very much needed for our country to move forward in the energy sector. We have to invest our time in developing more innovative technologies... and find newer ways to increase the energy efficiency of our existing systems and switch to greener solutions.”
Gayathri Sawindika Liyanage is a research engineer at the Industrial Technology Institute, a government agency that provides environmental consultancy support and solutions to industrial businesses and pioneers scientific industrial research.
Gayathri spends her days providing consultancy services related to environmental management and pollution control for industries, which includes conducting energy audits and coming up with energy saving ideas. She became interested in industrial energy management when studying to become a chemical and process engineer at university.
“Here we learned about energy processes, combustion energy, how energy is consumed, energy efficiency – I took so many subjects about energy!” she says.
As part of her university course, Gayathri joined the Industrial Services Bureau as an intern where she assisted the project team working on Switch Asia, which aims to make the food manufacturing sector more sustainable. It was here that she first gained experience in energy audits for industrial companies – something that eventually led her to work for the Industrial Technology Institute.
“We offer a wide range of environmental-related services. Almost all types of companies in the country use our services because environmental pollution is happening everywhere,” she says.
Gayathri is proud of helping industrial businesses save energy, and she has seen companies reap the rewards for making changes.
“One time a company in the packaging and printing industry asked us to help them reduce their energy usage. We went to observe the places where energy was being wasted, and right away we identified some problems… There were compressed air leakages as well as huge airconditioning leakages to the outside environment.
“They had so many openings to the outer environment – they were using strip-curtains to separate the production area from the outer corridor and they didn’t have tightly closing doors. There were also open doors at unnecessary places, and this was leading to huge losses of energy due to warm air coming into their factory premises from outside. We advised them on what to do, which accounted for around ten per cent of energy savings.
“There were four of us working on this project, and we felt very good to have gone in there together and found these solutions.”
In her line of work, Gayathri has come across many companies that want to reduce energy use and move to renewables, but she says that “not having enough knowledge and not feeling confident” stops some from moving forward.
She adds: “Another problem is that companies are in competitive markets, they have to produce their orders on time, and they have no time to invest in switching from one energy source to another as they are busy with their production.”
Gayathri says that a silver-lining of the recent energy crisis has been an increase in the number of companies willing to invest time and resources into energy efficiency and renewables.
“They are willing to move because the cost is unbearable for the companies…I think we will see more companies move in this direction very soon.”
One of the things that Gayathri feels passionately about is the need to find more home-grown solutions to the energy issues that companies face: “Research is very much needed for our country to move forward in the energy sector… We have to invest our time in developing more innovative technologies. We should not be limited to traditional knowledge. We should move forward and find newer ways to increase the energy efficiency of our existing systems and switch to greener solutions.”
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Gayathri has encountered barriers and prejudice, something she spoke with other female energy leaders for International Women’s Day, but her skills and experience has enabled her to excel in her chosen field.
And Gayathri is not stopping there. Now enrolled on the UNIDO energy management systems training, she is gaining new skills that will help industrial businesses move to the next level of energy management.
“The course will be very useful because ITI provides energy-related services so we can use the knowledge to diversify. We are not doing energy management system implementation currently, we are only doing energy audits and energy measurements, but by doing this training we can help industries to develop their energy management systems.
“I am also hoping to use the training to develop more connections with people in the energy sector. Most of the participants share their experiences and knowledge on energy-related subjects during the training which is very valuable. We can also connect with potential clients from industries, which is another advantage.
Shirangi Samararatne
“Sri Lanka is in crisis. The economic collapse starkly highlighted how energy is used: we may have felt the worst effects in 2022 with severe fuel and electricity shortages but it is an issue industries are still grappling with today.”
Shirangi Samararatne is the Chief Executive Officer of Super Shine Business Consultancies, a homegrown entrepreneurial venture helping guide Sri Lankan industries toward a greener future.
A decade ago, Shirangi established Super Shine Business Consultancies. “At the outset, it was a modest endeavour, primarily focusing on systems certification consultancy. Gradually, we diversified into training, internal auditing and various other areas. Our clientele comprised export companies, and as their demands evolved, so did our services. We expanded strategically to address market gaps and meet their specific requirements.”
In today’s Sri Lanka, the pressing issue on everyone’s mind is energy usage. However, for Shirangi, this is not a newfound interest: with a background in science, energy management was a natural progression for her and Super Shine has been addressing this very subject for many years. Over the past decade, Shirangi observed a significant shift: larger companies and export-oriented businesses in Sri Lanka starting to adopt energy-efficient systems and practices, influenced by the global movement towards greener initiatives. The recent economic crisis has only increased the urgency to adopt new technologies, generate exports, and enhance energy management practices.
However, the concept is relatively new for smaller companies that primarily focus on the local market. Shirangi emphasizes, “Today, companies of every shape and size have come to understand the value of alternative energy sources and mechanisms. But a knowledge gap exists, particularly among small businesses who have yet to grasp how effectively managing energy can reduce production costs.
In small and medium enterprises within the tea industry, for example, many operate ageing machinery without realizing the inherent inefficiencies. Sometimes, a steam leak can be dismissed as a natural occurrence, without recognizing the need for a solution. To compound the matter, much of the tea production takes place in Sri Lanka’s hill country, where the cooler climate necessitates even more energy, resulting in multiplied energy wastage. It is crucial to show management how inefficient energy management is a substantial cost affecting their bottom line.”
In her role as CEO, Shirangi manages a team of consultants and engineers, focusing on identifying the needs of industries and society to foster the development of local businesses. While energy management has become the primary focus, Super Shine also delves into other sustainability areas such as environmental certifications and quality consultancy.
Recognizing the importance of continuous development, Shirangi praises the EnMS training for providing her with the tools to convince management to invest in energy management. “Many are seeking short-term solutions and perceive energy management as an additional cost rather than a long-term saving. The trainers offered practical advice on how to demonstrate the value of systems alongside technical expertise, ensuring continual improvement and the sustainability of change. As part of my quality management and improvement process, I now initiate discussions by presenting non-cost measures that can be introduced. This approach provides me with the opening I need to move into a more in-depth conversation.
Another invaluable aspect of the training is the opportunity to share knowledge, something I am deeply passionate about. It has provided both my company and me with a platform to concentrate on developing the youth and thereby, establish a robust foundation for our nation’s future.”
Anusha Punchihewa
"Michelin Lanka is home to one of Sri Lanka's largest roof-mounted solar systems. Aligned with our strategic vision, our aim is to maximize this potential, targeting an expansion from the current 2.8MW capacity to 13MW within the forthcoming six years."
Anusha Punchihewa is an Energy Assessor and Data Analyst in the Central Engineering Division of Michelin Lanka Pvt Ltd. He joined the world’s largest tyre manufacturer in 2013.
Guided by its “All-Sustainable” vision, Michelin shapes its strategy around critical domains such as manufacturing, energy efficiency, product usage, environmental stewardship of its sites, and product circularity.
Michelin Lanka is home to one of Sri Lanka’s largest roof-mounted solar systems, producing a capacity of approximately 2.8MW that is currently being transferred to the national electricity grid. “Preliminary assessments indicate a potential capacity increase of up to 13MW, should all facilities leverage their available resources. Aligned with our strategic vision, our aim is to fully harness this potential within the forthcoming six years.”
Over a span of six years on Sri Lanka’s vibrant Southern coast, Anusha’s responsibilities expanded to include energy management at his plant. “In 2020, I was given the opportunity to transfer to the Central Engineering Division (CED) in Ekala, and take on the role of a Senior Energy Engineer. Since then, my focus has been on enhancing energy efficiency in our manufacturing facilities.
The Energy Department in the CED, to which I now belong, plays a pivotal role in supporting the eight manufacturing facilities by overseeing energy management programs and conducting energy assessments, audits and initiating new energy projects.”
Additionally, Michelin has instituted a set of energy best practices to be adopted by its facilities worldwide. Here in Sri Lanka, the CED is working to implement and tailor these practices to suit the local context. Serving as guiding principles, they are instrumental in steering the company toward its sustainability goal: a 50 per cent decrease in CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to its 2010 baseline, and ultimately achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2050.
“In Michelin’s Sri Lankan operations, the energy mix is predominantly sourced from electricity, accounting for 47 per cent of the total. Diesel accounts for 11 per cent and is primarily used for generators and fuel boilers. We are actively working on strategies to phase out the use of fuel boilers in the foreseeable future. Forty-one per cent of our energy is sourced from renewables, primarily through biomass boilers. The Midigama plant houses a biomass boiler that fulfills all its steam requirements.
Our staff play a pivotal role in our sustainability journey, which has prompted us to optimize our training approach. We have categorized our workforce into administrative staff and shop-floor teams. Given that equipment such as mixers and mills are significant energy consumers, it is essential to empower the operators of these machines with relevant expertise. We provide specialized training for utility operators managing boilers and compressed air systems. Additionally, tailored training modules are crafted for our engineering and production teams, ensuring that each member of the team is aligned and actively contributes to our overarching energy efficiency objectives.”
Among the eight Michelin plants in Sri Lanka, four have already achieved ISO 50001 certification, with Anusha playing a direct role in the certification process for three of these plants. His ongoing responsibilities include guiding the remaining four plants through their certification process. “We have initiated the use of management system standards, with me spearheading the audit processes. I conduct energy assessments for equipment, including boilers, cooling towers, compressed air systems, and other machinery. The goal is to ensure they operate optimally and with maximum energy efficiency. Through the implementation of best practices and energy-saving measures, our main focus is to reduce overall energy consumption across these facilities.”
Before enrolling in the UNIDO Energy Management Systems (EnMS) training, I had some foundational experience, but I knew there were innovative approaches and insights I could gain. Joining the program was transformative, it reshaped my perspective on implementation strategies and essential checkpoints. This newfound knowledge has significantly expedited our progress towards obtaining ISO 50001 for the remaining plants, a milestone we hope to reach by 2025.”
Sashika Kaluwahewa
"I believe that implementing ISO 50001 will go beyond mere compliance, inspiring a culture of continuous improvement and energy conservation that will spread throughout our organization."
Sashika Kaluwahewa is the Sustainability Manager at Jetwing Hotels, a leading hotel chain in Sri Lanka with a distinguished legacy.
Jetwing has been a household name synonymous with Sri Lankan hospitality for over five decades. The brand also stands as a pioneering force in sustainable tourism. From its inception, this family-led enterprise has prioritized fostering a harmonious relationship with the environment. In its more recent efforts to combat climate change on a global scale, Jetwing’s approach moves away from mere emission offsets; instead, the focus pivots towards enhancing energy efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Sashika guides the implementation of sustainability practices across all the properties in the Jetwing family, with a predominant emphasis on environmental sustainability, including energy management. Building on a foundation in environmental conservation, she has dedicated over a decade to Jetwing Hotels, working closely with the engineering team to focus on energy solutions and advancements. “I am involved in developing strategies, formulating policies, and identifying initiatives for execution. Additionally, I oversee the monitoring of these initiatives to ensure effective implementation. A crucial aspect of my role involves analyzing data to evaluate the impact of our sustainability efforts.”
Today, 60 per cent of Jetwing’s energy requirements are fulfilled through renewable sources, predominantly biomass, which serves as a cornerstone of Jetwing’s sustainability strategy, powering steam and hot water boilers across all Jetwing hotels. “These boilers are fuelled purely by sustainably harvested cinnamon wood. Cinnamon wood has a short cropping cycle, enabling it to quickly sequester carbon emissions from the burning of its wood. Since this specific variety of wood comes about as a byproduct of cinnamon spice cultivation, there is no need for separate cultivation efforts, it also offers an added revenue stream for local cinnamon farmers.
The biomass boilers play a pivotal role in both hot water and steam generation, catering to laundry needs and serving as a primary heat source for our vapour absorption chillers, without relying on fossil fuel-powered electricity from the national grid. Being a hotel chain, it is no surprise that air conditioning is our most substantial energy consumer, typically constituting between 50 to 60 per cent of a hotel’s total energy consumption. The very first vapour absorption chiller in Sri Lanka was installed at Jetwing Lagoon in 2012, inspiring three subsequent installations across other Jetwing hotels. Additionally, seven Jetwing properties have integrated biomass into staff kitchens, further diminishing dependency on traditional energy sources.”
Jetwing is diligently working to expand the use of renewable energy sources with the aim of reducing its carbon footprint. “We are transitioning to solar energy wherever possible; it currently accounts for two per cent of our total usage. The goal is to double our installed capacity in 2024, which will amount to over 1.6MW.
Another vital aspect of energy management is the human element. Our approach emphasizes fostering awareness and engagement across all organizational levels, starting right from the orientation phase during recruitment. We provide sustainability training through dynamic and interactive sessions to bolster engagement. This is not always easy: in some instances, staff who have been doing things a certain way for a long time are resistant to change. Also, most investments in energy management do not yield overnight returns and this can make it a tough sell from a financing perspective. Furthermore, there are limited external or state incentives offered to commercial enterprises for their investments in sustainability.
The UNIDO Energy Management Systems (EnMs) training helped improve my strategic perspective. I have been able to identify critical gaps, areas for improvement and avenues for cost-reduction. My current objective is to roll out the ISO 50001 energy management system across all our hotels, with the ultimate goal of obtaining certification. I believe that this approach will go beyond mere compliance, inspiring a culture of continuous improvement and energy conservation that will spread throughout our organization. With Sri Lanka’s sustainability goals now in place, the onus is on us to determine our company’s role and contribution in realizing our nation’s aspirations.”
Senura Dharmadasa
“What we took for granted in the past has to change, with the cost of energy and impacts of climate change mounting, we cannot continue to depend on old strategies.”
Senura Dharmadasa is the Manager – Sustainability and Compliance at Star Garments, which has been carbon-neutral for four years. Star Garments is also the largest Sri Lankan company to go carbon neutral and the only complete group of apparel factories to achieve this status.
Senura has always been deeply fascinated by the wonders of the natural world, recognising them as a precious privilege we have been given as humans. Starting out in the environmental field, Senura came to understand our actions have a significant impact on the environment. This realization motivated him to focus on sustainability and the opportunity it provides to take control and play a critical role in preserving the environment for future generations.
At present, Star Garments maintains its carbon-neutral status by offsetting carbon credits but is seeking methods for insetting in the future. With ongoing improvement of sustainability practices being part of their ethos, Star Garments has installed a 3.5 MW solar system, replaced furnace oil boilers with biomass boilers, and incorporates several significant energy-saving measures.
The Company also follows Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards in its factories. Eight of eleven factories have received LEED certification. Star Garments is committed to obtaining certification for all its factories and promoting sustainable practices across its operations. The Company is working towards a 35 per cent reduction in absolute emissions and a 20 per cent improvement in energy efficiency by 2027.
The Star Garments’ Innovation Center is the first “Passive House” in Southeast Asia and one of only eight factories of its kind in the world. It is also Sri Lanka’s first LEED Version 4 Platinum Building. The construction incorporates a set of design principles that attain a rigorous level of energy efficiency. In building the Innovation Center, the typical passive house concepts had to be reverse engineered to factor in cooling features that would stand up to the local climate. The completed facility utilizes 70 per cent less energy than a regular building of the same size.
“My role is to look into how energy, water and waste are managed and improve the efficiency of these processes. I also oversee compliance with both customer and regulatory requirements. Our primary markets being Europe, the UK and the US, mean we have to place a greater emphasis on renewable energy sources to meet customer requirements. This is challenging with Sri Lanka’s dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation and systems for rooftop solar power generation that do not lend themselves to the adoption of renewable energy. With the energy crisis in the country, energy costs in our production process have climbed from 1.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent. This issue is affecting Sri Lanka’s entire apparel industry. Our exports have become less competitive than our regional peers.”
Senura is keen to see a significant shift in national energy policies and practices. “The apparel sector urgently requires government support. Initially, we depended on hydropower alone but it is clear, this is not a viable long-term strategy. What we took for granted in the past must change, with the cost of energy and impacts on climate change mounting, it is time to switch our focus towards reducing emissions and energy efficiency.”
As a forward-thinking sustainability professional, Senura is actively working to improve employee awareness and cultivate an environmentally conscious organisational culture. He is also dedicated to guiding Star Garments towards achieving their long-term energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
Damith Gamage
“To achieve greater energy efficiency, it is crucial to utilize knowledge and expertise at every level; together with the long-term focus and commitment of everyone involved.”
Damith Gamage is the Chief Engineer at Associated Motorways’ tyre manufacturing facility in Kalutara. Associated Motorways, popularly known as AMW, is one of the pioneers in Sri Lanka’s Automotive industry.
Damith began his educational endeavours in the field of mechanical engineering but wanting to explore the potential of sustainable energy solutions, he went on to pursue a degree in Steam Engineering and Energy Conservation, followed by a training course on Energy Management at the National Cleaner Production Centre Sri Lanka (NCPC). This led Damith to his current role at AMW.
Established in 1949, AMW rose to the top of the country’s tyre retreading industry. The manufacturing arm of the business caters to both local and export markets, producing rubber compounds for the manufacture of tyres and other rubber products.
The manufacturing process involves three main phases: mixing, sheeting and cooling. During the mixing phase, the ingredients are blended together. Next, the mixture is sheeted to a precise thickness using a two-roll rolling mill. Finally, in the ‘Batch-off’ phase, the sheets are cooled rapidly and an anti-sticking material is introduced.
As Chief Engineer of the Kalutara facility, Damith is responsible for overseeing all maintenance and engineering work as well as managing projects.
“Maintenance plays a crucial role in ensuring energy efficiency in machinery. I have implemented a preventive maintenance programme that ensures all machinery is tuned for optimal energy efficiency. From an engineering perspective, I believe new technology is the way forward. Energy-saving ratings must be reviewed when selecting appliances and equipment. With the implementation of new projects, we use a review process that assesses potential savings, return on investment, sustainability and energy efficiency.
AMW produces 18,000 MT of custom rubber compound each year. The process uses high voltage machinery and tools leading to a monthly electricity cost of over 15 million. When assessing our energy efficiency, we identified the base load to be 22 – 25 per cent of total load. After identifying significant energy use (SEU), we have begun to reduce waste by increasing efficiency.
Blowers that were running continuously, now operate on a lower speed to deliver only the required pressure differential with minimal waste. Initially, logs of wood were utilized for thermal heating of the biomass boiler but after shifting to a mix of sawdust and wood as our main fuel, combustion efficiency improved from 35 per cent to 42 per cent; overall energy efficiency jumped by 20 per cent. We also identified insufficient insulation in our steam production system, which we addressed by bringing in new condensation recovery processes; this led to a five to seven per cent reduction in the fuel consumption of our boilers.
20 per cent of our total manufacturing cost is energy. In the past, energy consumption was not a hot topic but now it is more important than ever. The greatest challenge lies in changing mindsets. What we need is an integrated approach that works from the ground up; to build an energy conscious culture. Factory floor staff have first-hand knowledge of where loss of energy and gaps exist; this is invaluable information and we need to use it to empower our staff and make them part of the change. It is crucial to utilize the knowledge and expertise at every level. This requires a long-term focus and commitment from everyone involved.
I use the monthly management meetings as my opportunity to draw attention to the progress of energy management initiatives: highlighting the gains and the savings that have resulted from our efforts. We are now working to obtain ISO 150001 accreditation; to ensure the Company keeps moving forward.
Asanka Manoj
“UNIDO’s five-year plan for Sri Lanka is a great opportunity for the country to learn and implement energy management practices not only in industries but also at domestic level.”
Asanka Manoj is the Senior Manager – Production and Facility Maintenance at Flintec Transducers Pvt Ltd, a renowned global manufacturer of precision weight measurement technology in the Swedish Indutrade Group.
Having studied electrical engineering at the Institute of Engineering Technology, he then progressed to become a trainer for the electronic manufacturing industry certified by the Association Connecting Electronics Industries. Today, Asanka plays a pivotal role at Flintec. Flintec specializes in producing load cells, accessories and electronics. The company operates design as well as research and development facilities in the United States, United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, with manufacturing facilities located in Katunayake and Koggala. “Flintec’s primary sources of energy are electricity and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), while diesel is utilized for standby generators and transportation. Sri Lanka’s recent electricity disruptions and fuel shortages combined with Indutrade’s Sustainability Strategy Towards 2030, gave us the impetus to seek alternate energy-saving options.
As the Senior Manager responsible for assembly and manufacturing operations in Katunayake as well as facility maintenance at all three plants, I felt it was my responsibility to identify new measures to mitigate these challenges and drive our company towards becoming more sustainable. While doing research online, I encountered a webinar by the National Cleaner Production Centre Sri Lanka (NCPC) introducing the UNIDO Energy Management Systems (EnMs) training. Reviewing the programme content, I recognized the potential benefits for an organization like ours. UNIDO’s five-year plan for Sri Lanka is a great opportunity for the country to learn and implement energy management practices not only in industries but also at domestic level.
The training proved timely and invaluable. It was precisely what I had been searching for. I was confident that we would be able to fill a knowledge gap. Upon completing the very first module, we began applying the learning in our factories. I commenced the course in October 2022, and it marked the beginning of a new journey for Flintec.
Our first stop was initiating zero investment projects. Our main facility, which was over 30 years old, needed immediate attention. Numerous pneumatic lines which had been left unattended, were serviced. Processes were introduced to incorporate manual routine checks on the heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems and diffusers. Additionally, inspection of machinery across the manufacturing plants were taken to a granular level. Our maintenance technicians were tasked with carrying out routine servicing, leakage checking and improving compressed air systems. In January 2023, we installed rooftop-solar at all our plants, from which we can draw 65–70 per cent of our daytime energy usage.
Prior to the new systems and processes being introduced, electricity consumption averaged at 486,000kWh of per month at our main plant. However, in the past five months, we have achieved an 8 per cent reduction in electricity usage; a figure we plan to grow to 15 per cent by the end of 2025. Our biggest challenge in implementing these measures has been finding the time to conduct maintenance activities without disrupting our production schedules.”
Asanka has a newfound appreciation for energy management. He is eager to continue expanding his knowledge of the subject while educating others. “Following a series of awareness programmes, in which I cascaded the learnings gleaned from the EnMS training, ‘Energy teams’ were formed at two of our plants to further the company’s energy efficiency efforts.”
In addition to introducing a robust energy management system, Flintec is exploring initiatives to efficiently manage all its resources. “We are also aiming to obtain ISO 50001 certification in early 2024. The certification will help strengthen our position in the European and American markets.”
Jayanath Rupasinghe
“Being dedicated to the energy aspect of the business, I am always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to further reduce our carbon footprint.”
Jayanath Rupasinghe is the Energy Manager at Dipped Products PLC, a Sri Lanka based, global manufacturer of protective hand-wear. Jayanath’s long career at Dipped Products began when he joined its Maintenance and Engineering Department soon after graduating university. He went on to become Maintenance Manager in 2016.
“The more time I spent with the company, the more convinced I became that my true passion was for energy-saving and efficiency. I saw a lot of potential to make a positive impact in this area and eagerly took up the challenge when management offered me the opportunity to take over as Energy Manager. Since 2017, I have been fully dedicated to the energy aspect of the business. I am always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to further reduce our carbon footprint.”
Dipped Products, founded in 1976, is a pioneer in the manufacture of natural and synthetic latex-based gloves for an expansive range of applications including household, industrial and medical use. The process of crafting these gloves includes a mould or ‘former’ being dipped in a latex bath. Next, the latex is cured, for which a significant amount of energy is utilized, due to the heat required for that process.
“One of my responsibilities is improving energy efficiency, which includes biomass sourcing and usage. When I first joined Dipped Products, the company’s heaters and boilers ran on furnace oil. However, due to increasing costs and environmental concerns, the transition was made to using biomass as a primary heating source. Biomass is obtained from a number of external suppliers.
Our monthly firewood consumption is approximately 6.5 million kilograms, while we consume around 1.4 million units of electricity and 35,000kg of liquified petroleum gas (LPG). In addition, we use approximately 20,000 liters of diesel to operate backup generators.
We are now improving our supplier screening process by requiring all our biomass suppliers to hold Sustainable Source of Biomass certification. This ensures the wood supplied is fuelwood or reforested timber. With more commercial operations opting for biomass, sourcing wood therefore has proven challenging. In response, we have initiated projects with our latex suppliers to encourage them to grow Gliricidia, as an under-crop on their rubber plantations, to be utilized as biomass. Additionally, when the rubber tree reaches the end of its economic life, it can also be used for fuelwood.”
Dipped Products has an overarching goal to reduce its carbon footprint of production by 5 per cent, per pair of gloves, per year. To achieve this, several approaches have been employed. Tumble dryers, which initially used LPG, are being converted to utilize thermal oil, with heat generated from biomass. Excess heat, generated from biomass burners, is being redirected to heat water for other industrial processes. Measures are being taken to maximize energy efficiency by standardizing the quality of woodchips consumed as biomass. The procurement process is also being upgraded, to ensure equipment and machinery meet maximum levels of energy efficiency.
“Our new factory in Biyagama will feature a 1.5MW solar power system. Although high-efficiency equipment and renewable energy generation requires a greater initial investment, the long-term cost savings resulting from reduced energy consumption ultimately justifies the expense. By improving efficiency, we expect a 20 to 30 per cent saving in energy consumption.
Following the UNIDO Energy Management Systems (EnMs) training, Jayanath has begun a year-long process to implement the ISO 50001 Standard for Dipped Products. “I have been able to go beyond ad-hoc efforts and adopt a systematic approach in identifying and leveraging energy saving opportunities.”
Mohomad Arshad
“Our factory floor staff receive regular training to stay informed about the company's environmental impact, and measures being taken to mitigate it. As a result, we are already reaping the benefits of our energy saving measures.”
Mohomad Arshad is the Manager of Environment, Health and Safety at South Asia Textiles Limited (SAT), a leading fabric manufacturer in Sri Lanka that operates under Hayleys Fabric PLC, producing 35 tonnes of fabric per day.
With two plants situated in Horana and Pugoda, Hayleys Fabric PLC has a total daily fabric production capacity of 65 tonnes. Importing yarn from across Asia, the Company uses Circular Knitting Technology to produce fabric. The knitting process consumes both electricity and compressed air. The fabric then goes through a two-part dyeing stage that utilizes steam, which accounts for approximately 40 per cent of the total energy usage. Finally, the fabric undergoes a finishing procedure, which relies heavily on thermal energy.
The manufacturing process primarily consumes thermal energy, which accounts for 83 per cent of total energy consumption, followed by electricity at 13 per cent and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) at 4 per cent.
Arshad became a part of SAT’s engineering team in 2013. He currently oversees utility operation and maintenance at the Pugoda Plant, which includes ensuring power distribution and backup power are in order. Arshad is also responsible for the Company’s raw-water and waste-water treatment operations.
“We currently utilize thermic oil to operate a dryer, however, plans are underway to transition entirely to biomass. Two biomass steam boilers have been procured; a decision that was taken based on knowledge gained from the UNIDO Energy Management Systems (EnMs) training.
Today, the plant consumes 10t of steam per hour, we intend to bring this figure to 7t by installing new machinery. At present, our dyeing function requires approximately 4000m3 of water that is drawn from the Kelani River. We intend to reduce this by introducing high-tech, low-liquor-ratio machines that will also reduce our energy consumption by approximately 25 per cent during the heating-cooling cycle. Furthermore, we are working to reduce the energy required for effluent treatment (ET). Our fabric drying machines consume 10kW of energy to dry 1kg of fabric; through technology upgrades we are targeting a reduction to approximately 7kW,” he said.
Along with every other manufacturer in the country, SAT faced challenges due to disruptions in the power supply, fuel shortages and electricity tariff hikes. However, the switch to biomass systems has helped alleviate some problems, which will be bolstered by the installation of a 5MW solar power system. The consumption of furnace oil was trimmed from 16,500L to just 1,500L per day. The company hopes to completely eliminate furnace oil from its operations by 2024.
“We are further incentivized by our foreign customers. Compliance with international controls and requirements related to green practices are essential for remaining competitive in the global market.
Arshad works with a skilled and receptive workforce, led by a management team that prioritizes energy efficiency. “Our factory floor staff receive regular training that helps them stay current and informed about the company’s environmental impact, and the measures being taken to mitigate it. As a result, we have already started reaping the benefits of these energy saving measures.
“Today, only 70 per cent of energy consumed at the SAT plants is being utilized for production, 30 per cent is being wasted; a calculation I was able to carry out thanks to the EnMS training. Our aim is to increase efficiency to 80–85 per cent; a target we hope to achieve by December 2023.”
K. H. Thanushka
“We need to look beyond coal, diesel and even hydropower. Alternate sources can and should be explored. There is a lot of untapped potential in energy generation waiting to be discovered.”
K. H. Thanushka is the Senior Mill Manager at Watawala Plantations PLC, a diversified agribusiness company and the largest certified producer of palm oil in Sri Lanka. Thanushka was drawn to energy management while studying Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Moratuwa. In 2007, he took up the position of Assistant Mill Engineer at Watawala Plantations’ palm oil mill in Nakiyadeniya, Galle.
Watawala’s palm oil plantation spans over 3,500 hectares and is equipped with an onsite mill where harvested oil palm bunches are processed into crude palm oil. Despite the high energy demands of the industry, Watawala has made significant progress towards achieving energy self-sufficiency, with a major portion of its energy needs being met by renewable sources.
Today, Thanushka is the Senior Mill Manager. “I oversee production, energy-use and overall operations at the mill. I also focus on the people aspect, ensuring that our team is trained and equipped to meet production targets and comply with safety standards. Additionally, I worked with the National Cleaner Production Centre Sri Lanka (NCPC) on implementing ISO 50001 in 2021, to manage and improve our energy performance. The mill has also received the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification.”
The mill uses biomass as a source of energy to generate steam, which in turn is used for production and electricity generation. The steam generation process is utilised for sterilising and processing fresh fruit bunches (FFB), while the exhaust is funnelled through steam turbines for electricity generation. Where diesel boilers were used at the inception, the mill now functions on biomass boilers. The biomass used includes by-products of the FFB, a common practice in the industry. Over 95 per cent of our energy consumption is utilized for steam generation, which is supplied entirely from the 110,000 GJ of biomass waste that is generated during our production process each year.
“Our focus is on increasing the efficiency of each process. The recent energy crisis in Sri Lanka highlighted the significant cost of energy usage, further underscoring the importance of our efforts towards energy efficiency and sustainability. Training programmes were conducted to raise awareness and understanding among employees. To address other challenges, we have increased investment in energy management by conducting energy audits and taking measures to optimize energy efficiency, such as the installation of variable frequency drives (VFDs) over the past decade.
Despite certain gaps in power distribution synchronization that have limited the maximum utilisation of steam for power, Watawala is actively working on improving load distribution in the coming months. Generating electricity from waste is another process that we are currently exploring, which includes using biogas from wastewater treatment at the mill.
The Energy Management System (EnMS) training gave Thanushka the opportunity to gain practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge. “In our palm oil production, we initially only considered the specific energy consumption but we can now use a multi-variate regression analysis to explore numerous variables that impact energy consumption at each stage. This learning helped me in developing analyses that could minimise consumption and improve overall efficiency.”
On a global scale, Thanushka sees significant untapped potential in the utilisation of resources across all stages of generation, distribution, and consumption. “We need to explore new and alternate sources of energy beyond the traditional coal, diesel and hydropower; and eliminate inefficiency in managing resources. The value of technology is becoming increasingly evident as it enables us to innovate and cultivate new ways of thinking. A holistic approach to energy management is needed to unlock this potential and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.”
Sujeewa Fernando
“Not only do energy management and resource efficiency improvement yield cost savings in large projects, they also play a vital role in reducing the carbon footprint of the entire country.”
Sujeewa Fernando is an Energy Manager at Access Energy Solutions, the first Energy Efficiency Improvement (EEI) company to be registered with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA).
Ever since he chose an elective course on Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) during his undergraduate studies, Sujeewa has been captivated by the subject. It opened his mind to the boundless potential of this tool and how it could be utilized to address industrial concerns related to the effective management of our finite natural resources.
After completing his degree, Sujeewa started his career in energy engineering at the National Cleaner Production Centre Sri Lanka (NCPC). Here he trained over 200 professionals in RECP and implemented it in 15 industries. He also conducted audits, and provided consultancy on energy management, efficiency improvement, greenhouse gas reduction and carbon neutrality. In 2015, keen to switch focus to large-scale energy management projects, Sujeewa moved to Access Energy Solutions.
“Access Energy Solutions uses a Shared Savings Model to encourage the switch to energy efficiency systems. The model works by implementing an energy efficient solution and using the stream of income from the cost savings to recover the costs of the project, including the cost of investment. This method of operation requires the Company to verify their savings monthly.
We also use performance maintenance systems to gather data and maintain performance at an optimal level. In addition, we install Building Management Systems (BMSs) in our projects to monitor and regulate a building’s electrical and mechanical equipment such as power systems, lighting and ventilation in a sustainable manner. The system records data and verifies savings allowing corrective action to be taken if any deviations are detected.
The main goals of our projects include conducting energy audits and optimizing project design, delivering reports presenting solutions and options, and facilitating the integration of these recommendations into industrial projects. As an Energy Manager, Sujeewa has acquired expertise in project design, execution, and supervision, and developed practical knowledge in cost-saving measures.
Operating in an environment with constantly shifting variables, Sujeewa must come up with creative solutions. “Buildings with large energy requirements are seeking out high-tech solutions. For example, meeting the entire energy requirement of such a building using solar power alone is impossible. When space is limited, it is not feasible to install high-capacity solar systems. As an alternative, our team recommends exploring other options such as magnetic bearing chillers, which can offer greater energy efficiency.
When it comes to high investment projects, I have noticed that customers are hesitant to invest in expensive energy-saving solutions. To address this, we secure a bank guarantee. In doing so, we offer the customer a guarantee of the savings they can expect and they walk away happy.
Energy management and resource efficiency improvement are crucial elements in larger projects, given their considerable energy consumption. These practices not only yield cost savings but also play a vital role in reducing the carbon footprint of the entire country.
Another task I take upon myself is to create awareness among top management. This involves demonstrating the potential financial benefits of energy-efficient options and providing technical insights to help them understand potential savings.”
Sujeewa describes the UNIDO Energy Management Systems (EnMs) training as a golden opportunity that enabled him to uncover the full potential of energy auditing and data analysis.
“It was like playing with a diamond coated in mud, after the training the mud was gone and I could admire the brilliance of the diamond.
My aim is to become an expert in this field and the EnMs training has put me on the right path. I am also passionate about imparting my knowledge and inspiring others. Moving forward, I aspire to utilize the professional experience, industry knowledge and recent learning I’ve acquired to educate students pursuing higher studies in energy management.”
Damitha Sandanayaka
“I strongly believe that changing human behaviour is the key to improving energy efficiency, which is why training and awareness have become fundamental to our organization.”
Damitha Sandanayaka is an Energy Management Officer at Colombo Dockyard PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading ship repair, shipbuilding, heavy engineering and offshore engineering facility.
New to the workforce, Damitha brought fresh perspective and a willingness to go the extra mile. While working as an electrical engineer at a fabric mill, he observed numerous opportunities to save energy. “I took it upon myself to implement small-scale energy-saving activities, where possible. Eventually, these initiatives caught the attention of the management, which resulted in them establishing a dedicated Energy Management Department.”
After accomplishing this significant feat, Damitha was eager to keep learning. He enrolled in courses offered by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) and the Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association (SLEMA).
Damitha began his employment at Colombo Dockyard in 2019. “When I joined, the organization was not following a systematic approach to energy management. I helped set up an Energy Management Division, which includes a ‘Cross-functional energy team’ and an ‘Energy quick-response team’.”
Colombo Dockyard specializes primarily in ship repair, with shipbuilding becoming a growing component of the business. Located within the port of Colombo, a strategic hub for the world’s major shipping lanes, the Company undertakes international projects and offshore ship repairs.
“Our energy consumption is quite substantial, with 90% of it being electricity amounting to 1.3 million kWh monthly. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is used in significant quantities for production as well as in the laundry and kitchens, which cater to Colombo Dockyard’s workforce of 2000 permanent and 2500 subcontracted staff. We have recently transitioned from LPG to biomass for boiling water. Our new boilers use coconut shells, a kitchen byproduct, as fuel. This switch has resulted in a 20% reduction in LPG usage.
I strongly believe that changing human behaviour is the key to improving energy efficiency, which is why training and awareness have become fundamental to our organization. We conduct regular training programmes with the SEA and workshops with external consultants. We also initiated ‘Energy Management Week’, which was held for the fourth year running in 2023. This initiative promotes awareness on the importance of energy management and encourages the team to work together to achieve energy efficiency goals.
It can be especially challenging to adopt energy-saving practices when there is pressure to meet production targets. I have been working on better coordination to facilitate quicker response times to rectify leakages or damage that cause energy loss. It is hard to benchmark our processes locally: welding, heating, and metalworking in ship repair and shipbuilding; instead, we have had to measure ourselves against global firms.
We obtained ISO 50001 certification in 2022, a significant undertaking given the nature of the business. The UNIDO Energy Management Systems (EnMs) training helped give me a comprehensive understanding of the standard’s value and practical application.
As I look to the future, the Company’s focus on ramping up production requires a continuous improvement approach. I am eager to explore opportunities in this highly technical process by initiating R&D processes for energy management. Additionally, ongoing assessments are planned for all energy-consuming equipment to determine whether they meet existing benchmarks. Overall, We are committed to finding innovative solutions for energy management that will help us achieve our sustainability goals and ensure a greener future.”
Asanka Kodithuwakku
“One of the main things we have done is to make our employees and our stakeholders much more aware of energy conservation.”
For Asanka Kodithuwakku, Senior Executive on Sustainability at Convenience Foods Lanka (CFL), the subject of energy use has leapt up the agenda in recent years.
“Energy is a hot topic these days,” she says. “We are facing an energy crisis … The electricity tariff rate has been going up day by day and it is very difficult to meet profitability. We have to move to renewable energy sources and also reduce consumption through modification. We have to have these kinds of initiatives. Without energy, we cannot run our business.”
Asanka says CFL is “always trying to seek solutions for renewables”, but until those are found the company is focusing on energy efficiency as a way to reduce both its carbon footprint and its energy bills.
“I am seeing climate changes happen in Sri Lanka,” she says. “So when it comes to energy consumption we need to be engaging in generating less carbon emissions, but we also need to have proper [energy] management and conservation systems.”
CFL began working on sustainability in 2008 and has already implemented many energy-saving initiatives.
“One of the main things we have done is to make our employees and our stakeholders much more aware of energy conservation,” says Asanka “Our engineering team has also done many things to save energy and water over the years. We have insulated our steam lines; we monitor our boilers, we manage our lighting and air conditioning systems and how much furnace oil we use on a daily basis, and we’ve done things like modify our radiators [to reduce energy waste].”
CFL is committed to becoming ISO 50001 registered by 2024-25, which is the gold standard of energy management. Asanka says that participating in the one-year UNIDO Energy Management System (EnMS) training is helping to bring this goal firmly in sight: “[To become ISO 50001 certified] we have to do a lot of calculations and analysis. There are so many new techniques, technologies and improvements methods – with this programme we can learn a lot about these things.
“For instance, we’ve been introduced to an EnMS tool … it is very easy to use and will really help us to bring in an EnMS system. The course is also teaching us about regression analysis … they have taught us that we have to look at many components with regards to energy, then we can get a clearer picture.
“Sometimes we feel very busy with this EnMS training; we have a lot of assignments and exams. But taking part is really helping to increase our knowledge about how to implement the EnMS in our organisation – and we can help others do these kind of activities – so it is a very good opportunity.”
Nisal Liyanage
“One of the biggest advantages of efficient energy management for our country is the potential for greater energy independence.”
Nisal Liyanage is the Manager – Group Compliance (QHSEEn) at Hayleys Fentons Group, which is recognised as one of the foremost engineering companies in Sri Lanka.
Nisal got his start as a Fire Systems Design Engineer but switched career paths when a position for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Engineer opened up at Fentons. In this field, Nisal believed he could make a real difference and change the world for the better.
Fentons, now a subsidiary of Hayleys PLC, is a homegrown brand that has been in operation for over a century. It is now leading the field of engineering in innovation and energy management. “When it comes to our existing facilities and buildings, techno-economic analysis has been conducted to identify opportunities for reducing electricity intensity; while passive cooling measures have been installed to reduce cooling load and increase efficiency. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) are carried out for equipment that the Company uses. Procurement practices have also been upgraded with guidelines and best practices. The procurement and compliance divisions work together to ensure the electrical items we purchase, such as A/C units and light fixtures, are energy efficient.
Taking further steps to boost energy conservation, the Company conducts a comprehensive Quality, Health, Safety, Environment and Energy (QHSEEn) induction for new employees. Most importantly, we carry out a monthly energy audit that enables us to analyse the efficacy of our controls, while identifying opportunities for further gains. By employing such strategies, we were able to achieve an 8.9 per cent reduction in energy intensity this year and obtain an ISO 50001:2018 Standard for our energy management system.
In addition to being responsible for compliance of QHSEEn at Fentons, Nisal develops energy-efficient standards and guidelines for the teams involved in design, installation and maintenance of building systems.
We have identified that over 60 per cent of energy in buildings is used for cooling; our team has been quick to act on this information, proposing the use of highly efficient energy systems, which can help to reduce energy consumption and lower costs.
In the wake of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, there has been a rush of customers looking to make the switch to solar power. “Despite this being a growth opportunity for Fentons, we have noticed a lack of customer awareness regarding this technology, for example the return on investment associated with implementing such solutions at a domestic level can be prohibitive. Additionally, there is a lack of competent technicians in Sri Lanka, which affects the labour requirement necessary to install and maintain these systems. To address this issue, Fentons works to educate customers and equip technical teams with additional training and supervision.
Energy management is an emerging trend in Sri Lanka and renewable energy generation as a cost saving measure, namely solar power, is where much of the effort is directed. The UNIDO Energy Management Systems (EnMs) training taught me we should instead focus our attention on energy conservation, via a good energy management system, as a first step. It was practical information like this that I found most useful.
There are many benefits that will materialise on a larger scale if we prioritise efficient energy management. We would see reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the potential for greater energy independence for us as a country.”
Upendra Arjeewani Weerathunga
“Ten years ago, 'Life cycle thinking' was almost unheard of in Sri Lanka. Today, it is a completely different story. The key is raising awareness; among manufacturers, retailers and the general public.”
Upendra Weerathunga is a Senior Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) Expert at the National Cleaner Production Centre Sri Lanka (NCPC) the foremost cleaner production solutions provider in Sri Lanka. She says her passion for protecting the environment runs deep in her blood.
NCPC was launched by UNIDO together with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in 2002, its aim was to improve the environmental performance of industries through cleaner production and resource efficiency; in 2017, it diversified into certification and this is where Upendra found her calling.
Upendra joined the NCPC over ten years ago, with her beginnings as a RECP Technologist, soon after her graduation from university. The Certification Division introduced schemes of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Verification, Verification of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), environmental claims and eco-labelling, the latter being the first green certification programme in Sri Lanka. Taking a special interest in Eco-Labelling, Upendra worked her way to the top of her division.
“I had the opportunity to be part of this initiative that began in 2017, aimed at creating an environmental labeling system for local products. Our current standard is ISO 14024. This programme received technical support from UNEP and Eco Mark Japan.
We conduct an LCA of the products, a requirement for the export market. The labelling system has enabled local products to enter international markets, and currently we provide labelling for three sectors – dairy, tea, and construction and chemicals products. We certify these products with the Eco-label Sri Lanka Mark.
We are now in the process of creating eco-labelling for the textile industry. As a member of the Global Eco-labelling Network, we have gained international recognition for the Eco-label Sri Lanka Mark, which further highlights the importance of our work in promoting sustainable practices in Sri Lanka.”
NCPC also offers: GHG Inventory verification and certification to certify the carbon footprint of organisations, products and projects with the accreditation of Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB). NCPC has also commenced an accreditation scheme to allow for professional certification of individuals in the environmental sector.
In her work, Upendra has experienced numerous challenges in promoting energy efficiency and adopting cleaner production practices and other environmental management tools. “NCPC was one of the first organisations to learn about LCA and introduce it to the industrial sector. Ten years ago, “Life cycle thinking” was almost unheard of in the country. Today, it is a completely different story. The key is raising awareness; among manufacturers, retailers and the general public.
Energy management and cleaner production are critical for a sustainable future. Though Sri Lanka’s contribution to climate change is low compared to developed nations, being a small island nation that is heavily dependent on agriculture means we are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.”
Hearteningly, Upendra has found most Sri Lankans to be environmentally conscious. For example, she has seen concerted efforts being made to change from coal to bio-mass, post being educated on the subject. A number of Sri Lanka’s large companies are developing roadmaps for energy transition but have large economic challenges to overcome.
“I joined the UNIDO Energy Management Systems (EnMs) training to improve my technical capacity so I could better support industries. It is a valuable opportunity when one is able to learn from instructors with international exposure. With an in-depth understanding of industry best practices, I can confidently say I am now able to identify and evaluate gaps, and offer support where necessary. I am proud to be part of the knowledge transfer and implementation process, which allows me to pass that knowledge down to the industries with which I work.”
Indika Perera
“I am on a mission to minimize our contribution to global warming. I believe 60 per cent of energy management is in our behaviour and practices.”
Indika is a Group Facilities Manager at DIMO, a diversified conglomerate, which has been in operation for over 80 years.
Indika is a nature lover. Driven by a deep appreciation for the gifts of nature, he is constantly seeking ways to give back: one of which is saving energy. This passion is what fuels his interest in energy management and led him to his current position at DIMO.
Established in 1939, DIMO has become a well-respected Sri Lankan brand. Over time, the Company has diversified into ten sectors: agriculture; building services; construction; digital innovation; education; home and garden equipment; healthcare; automotive; industrial automation; and power, energy and water. DIMO’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its alignment with eight of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including affordable and clean energy. In 2022, DIMO was awarded 1st runner up at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards.
Recently, DIMO collaborated to install Sri Lanka’s first comprehensive grid-tied renewable energy microgrid at the University of Moratuwa (UOM). It guarantees uninterrupted, renewable power throughout the distribution area at all times. The system was put to the test during the Island’s recent power outages; using 375 kW of solar PV, 418 kWh of battery storage and a 1170kVA backup diesel generator, UOM was able to power its entire premises independently.
Solar Power is also one of DIMO’s biggest sources of renewable energy. Our internal usage is currently 3500MW annually and is projected to grow to 5000MW within the next 3 years. “In my role as a Group Facilities Manager, I oversee the maintenance and monitoring of our premises in Sri Lanka. I also direct and plan essential services, and inspect emergency response equipment. In the project management arm, I am involved in building enhancement, rectification and project delivery. In our vehicle workshops, I work on improving functionality. In each of these areas, I evaluate options for cost saving, many of which are directly tied to energy management.
The diverse structure of the company is the biggest challenge when it comes to improving energy efficiency. The nature of business varies greatly from one sector to another. Investing in training is crucial for promoting the adoption of best practices, creating awareness and improving the knowledge of our staff; this comes at a significant financial cost to the company.
Organizing workshops to train staff is important, but it can be challenging to do so without impacting production. However, as a technical company, we understand the importance of minimizing our impact on the environment; a main focus area is reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
I am on a mission to minimize our contribution to global warming. I work closely with our Sustainability Department to educate staff on the importance and benefits of closing any gaps in energy management and cleaner production. I believe 60 per cent of energy management is in our behaviour and practices. I am also in the process of creating an internal team that will carry the lessons even further. Commitment is high and I am keen to keep building on it. My goal is to build an army of energy savers.
Indika feels the UNIDO Energy Management systems (EnMs) training has given him a new perspective. “The instructors were highly knowledgeable and they delivered the material in a practical, structured manner. Thanks to their guidance, I have been able to develop creative solutions that benefit DIMO. Providing the EnMs programme across the island could help address the lack of training and knowledge among technical specialists.”
Looking forward, Indika has set himself the target of obtaining ISO 50001 certification for three of DIMO’s premises, two of which he hopes to receive by November 2023. “When people see cost savings resulting from energy management, behaviours will change; for this I want to set an example for my company and my country.”
Arosha Hemali
"The cement industry is energy-intensive, but it has developed energy-saving methods.”
Arosha Hemali, Business Development manager at Insee Ecocycle, the waste management arm of the leading cement manufacturer in Sri Lanka, knows how important it is for high-energy consuming sectors like hers to find ways to reduce energy consumption.
“As we all know, energy costs are rising and Sri Lanka lacks natural resources – so to manage this we need knowledge on energy management,” she says. “Very recently, the tariffs for electricity have increased and this will [have an] effect across industries; for the general public, for everybody. We have to find ways and means of saving energy. This is now more of a priority.”
When it comes to reducing carbon emissions, Insee Ecocycle is already ahead of the curve as it already uses biomass as an alternative energy source. It is now planning to increase the volumes of biomass it can absorb in its waste-to-energy operations. And increasingly, its focus is also turning to energy efficiency.
Arosha sees her participation in UNIDO’s one-year Energy Management Systems training as crucial for learning more: “The cement industry is an energy-intensive industry. But it has developed energy-saving methods – I want to gain knowledge on how to improve further.
“As a growing energy expert, I will be able to share my knowledge with others [and take] a pivotal role to implement these systems, not only in our companies but in industries around the globe.”
Arosha is constantly thinking of the next steps to take to reduce her company’s energy use, its carbon footprint, and ever-increasing energy costs. Insee Ecocycle now has solar energy firmly in its sights, driven in part by a likely rise in biomass costs as more and more Sri Lankan companies turn to this renewable.
“My concern is there will be…vast increases in prices because of the demand. If that happens, apart from having more efficient mechanisms with respect to energy efficiency, [it will be important] for industries to get the maximum energy from solar…It is now a priority for our business to improve our solar energy use. This can require high investments, but looking at the future it has to be done.”
Mendaka Hettithanthri
“It’s time now; everyone is talking about this. It's a global crisis, and there is no way to escape it, other than ride the wave and do what is right.”
Mendaka Hettithanthri, Engineering Manager at Teejay Lanka, one of the largest knit fabric manufacturers in Southeast Asia, has always been interested in sustainability.
“I’m all about ensuring a better future for generations to come,” he says. “As adults, as citizens, that’s our responsibility.”
Each day, Teejay Lanka consumes 75,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, 60 tonnes of coal and 12,000 litres of furnace oil. Unsurprisingly, the energy crisis has hit the company hard. Its monthly electricity bill doubled last year, and another 60% increase is due soon.
“It’s like we are being put into a corner and being punched down,” says Mendaka. “There is no other way out, we have to drive sustainability initiatives.”
Mendaka has worked in Sri Lankan manufacturing industries for 11 years and has seen environmental measures brought in during that time, but he says the shift towards sustainability feels more significant than ever before.
“It’s time now; everyone is talking about this. It’s a global crisis, and there is no way to escape it, other than ride the wave and do what is right. You can already see how global warming is affecting Sri Lankans. We are an agricultural country … and the farmers used to know exactly when to harvest the crops and when to replant. Now the weather patterns are completely messed up … So the signs are obvious.”
Teejay Lanka has already achieved an 81% reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions by investing in a steam powered paddle dryer, the largest in the country. In April 2022, Medaka’s team began working on energy efficiency, addressing energy waste in the plant’s thermic heaters by recasting and re-insulating them. Air compressors used in the fabric production process were also made more efficient, and compressor leakages across the whole facility were rectified, enabling one air compressor to be turned off completely. Now, an online energy monitoring system is being installed, and the possibility of installing solar panelling across the plant’s vast roof is being investigated.
In October 2022, Mendaka began the one-year UNIDO Energy Management systems (EnMs) training, enabling Mendaka and his team to take the company to the next level of energy efficiency.
“We were already taking certain initiatives, but not in a properly organized, documented, and process-driven way,” Mendaka explains. “For instance, in the last three months, I’ve gathered data on the monthly consumptions for the last four years. In the last management review, I presented the numbers and the trends and I was able to convince the management to drive towards an EnMS …The objective is to be ISO 50001 accredited within six to nine months.
“In the last two months, our electricity consumption and our bill have already gone down significantly, so we are getting management buy-in – they’re supportive as they’re seeing the results.”
Mendaka estimates that the company will see a 7 to 10 per cent energy performance increase once all the measures are in place.
Mendaka’s focus on energy efficiency is also influencing others in the company and beyond. “I’m inspiring my younger engineers,” he says “I’m telling them to walk the entire production floor every single morning just to listen … [I’m telling them] ‘walk by every single machine, and if you hear any hissing sound, you attend to it’.
“It’s a paradigm shift. We’re going from a certain fixed mindset to a different kind of mindset … We are also trendsetters in the industry, especially when it comes to sustainability initiatives and trying to drive the best production processes, so what we are doing here will definitely be influencing others.”
Dilanka Bamunuarachchi
"If we can save idle energy, we can ease the pressure on our country.”
Dilanka is an energy specialist for Camso Loadstar, a large tire manufacturer in Colombo. The tire manufacturing industry is incredibly energy intensive – a typical plant consumes between 120GWh and 275GWh of energy a year – and Dilanka says there are immediate gains to be made by reducing energy waste across the industry.
“As a nation, we are facing an energy crisis, plus a shortage of foreign currency. In Sri Lanka, the main consumer of foreign currency is energy, especially imported fuel. So, if we can save idle energy, we can save a lot of foreign reserves, easing the pressure on our country.”
Sri Lanka’s essential industries consume about 15 per cent of available oil and 33 per cent of the country’s electricity. If companies from these sectors start to closely monitor their energy use and take action to optimize it, the savings will be almost instantaneous.
Dilanka is one of 70 trailblazers leading the way. In October 2022, he began the internationally-renowned United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Energy Management Systems training course – the first time it has been conducted in Sri Lanka. As part of this, he will spend 12 months systematically reducing the amount of energy his company uses.
Dilanka says he is motivated by being able to do “something good for the country”, while also helping to achieve corporate goals. “Camso Loadstar, which is part of a larger conglomerate of companies, has set a target to reduce energy use by 37 per cent by 2025 compared to 2010, and we are on that journey,” he says.
But saving energy is just the beginning. Camso Loadstar aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, something that is critical for addressing the looming crisis of climate change. In 2018, the company hit the headlines when it installed four acres of solar panels on its Midigama factory, saving 2,000 tons of CO2 each year. It has also brought in systems to keep the company’s progress on track. “We use a tracking system called the Michelin Environmental Footprint indicator to monitor many things, including energy consumption and CO2 emissions,” Dilanka explains.
Dilanka is proud of his contribution, and believes everyone has a role to play – starting with a change in mindset. “[To reduce energy consumption] we should all change our attitudes first.”
Nadeera Ramanayake
"This is a crucial time for us to introduce systematic energy saving methods to industries.”
Nadeera Ramanayake is all too familiar with the damage soaring energy costs are having on Sri Lankan industries.
As Assistant Director of Planning at Industrial Development Board of Ceylon she spends her days devising and implementing strategies to grow the country’s industries, and describes the energy crisis as a “big problem”.
“The two main reasons for this are the lack of access to energy and the cost. About 40 per cent of industries in Sri Lanka use hydropower as the main source of energy. But we don’t have rain throughout the year, so to generate energy we have to use coal or diesel, which we have to import.
“The foreign exchange we spend on this has become a significant issue today. This makes it a crucial time for us to introduce systematic energy saving methods to industries.”
Nadeera says one of the biggest barriers that is stopping Sri Lankan industries from reaping the benefits of energy optimization is a lack of technical expertise on this subject.
“When you look at Sri Lankan industries most of them need to increase their energy efficiency but do not have sufficient knowledge,” she says – and it’s this that motivated Nadeera to participate in UNIDO’s one-year Energy Management Systems training.
“Amidst the current energy crisis in the country, I thought that joining a project like this and getting knowledge is vital,” she says.
And the more energy savers there are, the more the country will benefit: “Only a selected number of us have the opportunity to take part in this programme. I believe if we can expand this programme at the national level it could have a significant impact on the country.”
Krishna Ranagala
"Saving energy means a huge gain for us in profitability and the overall sustainability journey.”
Business is about the bottom line – and as companies can save up to 15 per cent in production costs by using energy more efficiently, energy optimization is fast becoming a major priority, particularly as the global energy crisis sees energy prices soar.
It’s no wonder then that Krishna Ranagala, Sustainability and Quality System Development Manager at Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC, a leading regional tea plantation company in Sri Lanka, describes energy efficiency as a “critical success factor”.
“In my company the energy factor is around 30 per cent of our total production costs. Saving energy means a huge gain for us, in profitability and for the overall sustainability journey.”
Energy efficiency is just one of the things Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC is doing to reduce its carbon footprint. The company has commissioned three mini-hydro plants and solar rooftop panels to produce clean and renewable energy. Any excess electricity it produces it sells to the national grid, which also boosts the company’s revenue. It is also the world’s first plantation company to commit to the UN Climate Neutral Now pledge and has set and verified science-based targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Reducing energy consumption is an area Krishna, who is undertaking UNIDO’s Energy Management Systems training, is keen to grow. He sees the benefits of expanding knowledge on energy optimization as wide-reaching: “We know every industry in the country is suffering with a very huge energy crisis and an economic crisis. Therefore, practical knowledge of energy efficiency is vital…this sort of expertise is important and timely.
“Energy management and improving energy efficiency are among my key priorities.”
Thilanka Alwis
"The learnings we gain from local and international experts will bring a positive future towards energy efficiency in industries in Sri Lanka."
Thilanka Alwis is the man Sri Lankan companies go to if they want an energy audit or for advice on ways to reduce energy waste. He is a consultant engineer at the Industrial Services Bureau, an organization tasked with accelerating industrial development in the country, and is not short of his own energy expertise. But there is always more to learn.
One of the subject areas most of interest for Thilanka right now is the ISO-50001:2018 Energy Management System (EnMS), an international standard designed to guide companies committed to addressing energy waste and their environmental impact by bringing in more efficient energy management.
Thilanka is learning about ISO-50001:2018 by participating in UNIDO’s one-year Energy Management Systems training and sees the knowledge he will gain on this issue as invaluable.
“EnMS can transform Sri Lanka’s industries’ energy efficiency,” he says. “So as someone working in the industry, gaining practical knowledge and exchanging my knowledge with industries [is important].
“From the knowledge I gain, I hope to identify a few industries in the coming months that can implement ISO-50001 and lay the basic foundation for this process. The current energy crisis in Sri Lanka – the demand and rising costs – has directly affected industries. To reduce these effects and create [change], energy efficiency and energy security is crucial.”
Despite the turbulence of global energy markets, Thilanka firmly believes that systems such as ISO-50001 will give the country the solutions it needs to weather the storm.
“The way we practically implement this knowledge, and the learnings we gain from local and international experts, will bring a positive future towards energy efficiency in industries in Sri Lanka,” he says.
M M Munsif
“I see my work as a meaningful contribution to the broader subject of climate change mitigation. Every positive action, no matter how modest, collectively shapes a more sustainable future.”
M M Munsif is an Energy Engineer at the National Cleaner Production Centre Sri Lanka (NCPC). His initiation into the workforce kicked off with Metabuild, a project funded by the EU-Switch-Asia Programme designed to introduce resource efficiency practices and technologies, with a special focus on energy.
The project aimed to cut down energy consumption by 20 per cent in four years. Reflecting on those early days, Munsif remembers learning the ropes of industry consultancy and how things fell into place. “I just knew Energy Management was the path for me. That was seven years ago, and here I am today, an Energy Engineer at the NCPC.”
The NCPC was founded by UNIDO under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce over two decades ago. It supports industries – particularly SMEs – by offering free consultations through funded projects and providing comprehensive energy assessments and guidance for implementing energy management systems.
M M Musif conducts energy assessments for a diverse range of businesses, spanning from small enterprises to major players in the textile, apparel and rubber industries. “We make on-site visits to factories and plants to perform walkthrough assessments to gain an in-depth understanding of energy flow and major consumers.”
Munsif explains that affordability is the predominant challenge confronting businesses in Sri Lanka today. “The economic crisis has placed entities in a precarious situation. We have witnessed a 250 per cent increase in energy costs over the last two years. This surge has prompted a notable uptick in enquiries related to energy assessments.”
During site visits to plants and factories, Munsif has observed a positive shift in mindset among businesses, now acknowledging that energy constitutes a substantial component of their cash flow, especially with the tariff hikes. This heightened awareness has led these businesses to pay closer attention to the insights provided during the assessments, a departure from the previous focus on audits prompted solely by compliance requirements.
In the midst of the undeniable financial struggles of the nation, Munsif recalls one remarkable experience at a tea factory in south Sri Lanka. “This company had a very small workforce but wanted to implement ISO 50001, a system that promotes energy efficiency through the development of an Energy Management System. What made this case extraordinary was the absence of a formally educated engineer; instead, a self-qualified technician with on-the-job experience took the reins, supported by an unexpected hero—an accountant. In a mere six months, propelled by the guidance of a visionary CEO and with support from the NCPC, they adeptly navigated the technical and managerial intricacies of ISO and successfully achieved certification. The implementation, woven seamlessly into their day-to-day operations, not only met the requirements but also yielded tangible savings.
“I always emphasize the tremendous cost benefits of implementing ISO 50001 regardless of the size of the organization and access to resources. It is not a mere theory; it is a proven strategy.
“Looking ahead, energy will undoubtedly play an increasingly vital role, therefore there is an urgent need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Personally, it fills me with great pride to be part of this transformative journey. While the impact may seem small, I see it as my meaningful contribution to the broader subject of climate change mitigation. Every positive action, no matter how modest, collectively shapes a more sustainable future.”
Samadi Withanage
“Organizations are very much interested in reducing their energy costs. This means there will be a lot of demand for implementation of energy management systems in Sri Lankan industries – and this will indirectly help to curb the adverse effects of climate change.”
Dr Samadi Withanage is a consultant, lecturer and auditor. He specializes in quality and productivity, continuous improvements, and management system certifications, including environmental, social and governance auditing.
For a long time, Samadi has taken a personal interest in the environment and says he is noticing the impact of climate change accelerating everywhere on the planet.
“If you look at the situation in Sri Lanka alone, we greatly feel the adverse effects of climate change. We have been having abnormal weather patterns, like heavy rains and floods, and sometimes the temperature goes up to unbearable levels. These are all negative effects of climate change.”
Between 2003 and 2017, Samadi worked for two large multinational organizations: Brandix, as a Process Improvement Specialist, and American & Efird as Head of Quality. The role at American & Efird paved the way for him to get involved in environmental management system-related work.
After making the decision to move to consultancy work, Samadi now specializes in supporting organizations to make continuous, quality and productivity improvements, to establish management systems and adopt environmental, social and governance practices, along with auditing. He also works with several higher education institutes as a lecturer in his two specialisms: engineering and management.
Samadi’s passion for the planet has caused him to make changes at home. And it has motivated him to expand his consultancy services to include energy management.
“I try to live in a very environmentally-friendly manner. I have taken various initiatives at home to reduce energy consumption. I have installed a solar power generation system with rooftop panels, along with an inverter-battery power system that generates part of the energy requirement. I have replaced all the lighting to LEDs, and I have replaced the refrigerator and air conditioner with ones that run on digital inverters [which responds to humidity levels and usage patterns]. By making these changes on the home-front I have managed to reduce my energy consumption at least by 50 per cent.
“I also think about waste management – whatever items that can be reused or recycled I collect and send for recycling, and I collect biodegradable items in a compost bin that produces compost fertilizer. All of this has contributed my household having near zero impact on the environment”
In January, Samadi enrolled in the UNIDO Energy Management Systems training after seeing a significant rise in companies interested in energy efficiency measures.
“In Sri Lanka, the energy costs have been going up at a high rate, especially electricity tariffs, and that has been badly affecting industries in our country. At the end of the day, these organizations are looking at making profit. And out of their overall operating costs, energy is one of the most significant portions, so these organizations are very much interested in reducing their energy costs. This means there will be a lot of demand for implementation of energy management systems in Sri Lankan industries – and this will indirectly help to curb the adverse effects of climate change.”
Samadi says that one of the most useful things about the training is the practical experience he is gaining. As part of the course he worked in a team of six to implement an energy management system at Dynawash Limited, a key player in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry, which he feels is invaluable for seeing how energy management theory plays out in real-world scenarios.
Samadi will use his new-found knowledge to further support organizations to improve their energy management and efficiency and lower the impact of their businesses on the environment.
“Since my passion is on climate change and environmental management, after completing the training programme I see myself getting more involved in energy management to support industries with a wider scope of services. That would fulfil my passion to make a difference to the planet and to humanity.”