Enhancing energy efficiency in industries

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has launched a program to save energy in industries, including those belonging to the textile sector.Based on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, the initiative is aimed at helping local companies to enhance their industry grade energy efficiencies and cut down the cost of production.The US$ 39,500 project targets to achieve a 10 percent reduction in industrial energy consumption.Sixteen Sri Lankan companies will undergo energy audits from January 2012 under the first stage of the program.

“As we face a climate of global recession and increasing energy costs, international markets demand more and more low cost products. To reduce our industrial and manufacturing costs and survive, we decided to create this special project said Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Jayaratne Herath.

The energy audits will be conducted by Metropolitan Engineering, a subsidiary of Metropolitan Group. Post audit, a report will be prepared for each factory that will include recommendations for saving energy.According to the Central Bank, Sri Lanka’s power demand is increasing by 7-8% annually.

As for industries in Sri Lanka, a total of 48000 industrial power connections were active in 2010 and power demand for industries (only from Ceylon Electricity Board) increased by 14% in the same year while LECO, CEB’s subsidiary, separately reported 10.1% demand growth from industries.