Sampath Bank goes green with solar energy system at Colombo Super Branch in Dharmapala Mawatha

In line with one of its core CSR pillars, ‘Environment Protection and Conservation’, Sampath Bank, renowned as a Responsible Corporate Citizen, installed its first solar energy system at the Sampath Bank Colombo Super Branch in Dharmapala Mawatha. The bank ceremonially inaugurated the installation of its first solar system at the Colombo Super Branch premises on 3 December 2015. 

Commenting on the initiative Sampath Bank PLC Chief Operating Officer Nanda Fernando said, “At Sampath Bank we take our sustainability goals to the heart of our business. Whilst investing in initiatives that protect and conserve the environment, we’ve taken steps to integrate sustainable practices in carrying out our business. Installing our very first Solar Energy System is therefore yet another step taken by the bank in venturing into a new dimension of adopting environmentally friendly energy sources.”

“I want to also express my gratitude to the team of experts from Genso Power Technologies who offered their services to make yet another one of our sustainability operations a success. Based on the performances of this pilot installation, we hope to equip several other branch outlets with energy solar systems within the next year,” he added.

Sampath Bank’s Solar Energy System possesses the ability to generate almost 50 Megawatt Hours (50,000kWh) of clean and green energy to the National Grid. Covering two third of day time energy usage of the bank premises, this Solar System will create a comfortable and a refreshing banking environment for the Sampath employees and customer. Further, it will bring about sustainable patterns of energy production and consumption.

 Furthermore, the solar energy system reduces the carbon emissions to the atmosphere by 30 metric tons (30MT) annually, which is equivalent to planting almost 200 trees on soil. This environmental benefit further fulfils the bank’s passion to protect and conserve the environment whilst contributing to reduce the impact made on ecosystems, climate change, health and quality of life, economic growth and environmental sustainability. 

Along with wind, and hydroelectric power solar energy is one of the cleanest and greenest source of renewable energy generated electricity available in the world. According to the UNDP (United Nations Development Program) ‘Unsustainable patterns of energy production and consumption threaten not only human health and quality of life but also affect ecosystems and contribute to climate change. Sustainable energy, therefore, can be an engine for poverty reduction, social progress, equity, enhanced resilience, economic growth, and environmental sustainability’.