Sri Lanka's Industrial Energy Management Gains Momentum with EU Funded Project

Strategic Insights -

The Energy Management Systems Forum 2025, hosted by the European Union-funded Accelerating Industries Climate Response in Sri Lanka (AICRSL) project, brought together over 200 industry leaders, government officials, and international representatives to reflect on three years of Energy Management Systems (EnMS) training. The project, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), aims to help industries reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions, and strengthen Sri Lanka's climate goals. The training has already seen over 500 industry and government professionals, including more than 100 women, trained on energy management and system optimisation, with an estimated 12,832 tons of CO2e emissions abated and average annual energy savings of 29 GWh.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Accelerating Industries Climate Response in Sri Lanka (AICRSL) project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNIDO, has trained over 500 industry and government professionals, including more than 100 women, on energy management and system optimisation.
  • The project has seen an estimated 12,832 tons of CO2e emissions abated and an average annual energy saving of 29 GWh among participating industries.
  • The Energy Management Systems (EnMS) training is aligned with international ISO 50001 standards and has helped participating companies to collectively reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions.
  • The project's focus on industry sector and energy sector has contributed significantly to Sri Lanka's national goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The training has also provided tailored support and technical knowledge to participants to apply energy-saving measures within their own workplaces, with the aim of driving improvements in operations, reducing emissions, and opening up new market opportunities for Sri Lankan industries.
  • The project has facilitated the growth of a skilled workforce supporting Sri Lanka's low-carbon industrial future, with the expert cohort expanding to sustain energy efficiency efforts long after the project ends.
  • Efforts are now shifting toward institutionalising energy management through policy and regulatory improvements, linking trained energy managers with Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association, to maintain momentum and support ongoing development.
  • The project's budget of Rs. 2.8 billion (£7.56 million) is a significant contribution from the European Union and UNIDO, underscoring the importance of the initiative in helping Sri Lanka meet its climate commitments and economic resilience goals.

Statistics:

  • Over 500 industry and government professionals, including more than 100 women, have been trained on energy management and system optimisation through the AICRSL project.
  • The project has seen an estimated 12,832 tons of CO2e emissions abated and an average annual energy saving of 29 GWh among participating industries.
  • The training has been aligned with international ISO 50001 standards, with the aim of driving improvements in operations, reducing emissions, and opening up new market opportunities for Sri Lankan industries.
  • The project's budget of Rs. 2.8 billion (£7.56 million) is a significant contribution from the European Union and UNIDO.
  • The project aims to help Sri Lanka's industrial sector cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 7% by 2030.

Sources:

  • European Union-funded Accelerating Industries Climate Response in Sri Lanka (AICRSL) project
  • United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
  • Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody
  • European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka and Maldives Head of Cooperation Dr. Johann Hesse
  • Sub-Regional Office in India Director and UNIDO Representative Dr. Cristiano Pasini
  • Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka
  • Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association