Green Energy Champion 2019 concludes showcasing successful innovative approaches to renewable energy

Ambassador-Designate of the Federal Republic of Germany to Sri Lanka Holger Seubert, GIZ Sri Lanka Country Director Christiane Einfeldt, State Minister of Solar, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development Duminda Dissanayake, Ministry of Power and State Ministry of Solar, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development Secretary Hemantha Samarakoon, and Ministry of Power Secretary Wasantha Perera with the Winners of Green Energy champion 2019

State Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Ambassador-Designate Holger Seubert, and GIZ Sri Lanka Country Director Christiane Einfeldt, on a test drive in the electric three-wheeler, winner of the private sector category

 German Ambassador Holger Seubert addressing the audience

The islandwide ‘Green Energy Champion 2019 Sri Lanka’ competition identifying and recognising successful innovative approaches towards renewable energy, concluded on a successful note recently.

The Green Energy Champion 2019 (GEC) Sri Lanka competition was funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and the Ministry of Power.

The closing event organised by GIZ was graced by State Minister of Solar, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development Duminda Dissanayake, and Ambassador-Designate of the Federal Republic of Germany to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Holger Seubert.

Addressing the gathering, Dissanayake said: “I sincerely thank the German Federal foreign office and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) for implementing this competition, which is a timely initiative. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and the newly elected government is fully committed and pledges allegiance to the undertakings of the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, implementing policy frameworks towards the achievement of our goals will receive the highest priority as the country transitions from fossil fuel-based power generation to sustainable renewable energy that is abundantly available in Sri Lanka.

“Additionally, the newly formed Renewable Energy State Ministry aims to solidly facilitate this endeavour, aligning with the commitments of the Paris Convention and the new government’s vision for Green Energy. The transition to sustainable renewable energy generation, we believe, will benefit all sections of society through the creation of new employment options, poverty alleviation, energy security and saving of foreign exchange,” Dissanayake added.

Held for the third successive year, GEC 2019 attracted entries from across the country and three Green Energy Champions, one each from the government sector, private sector and civil society/community based organisations were chosen. An eminent jury selected the champions with each winner receiving up to Rs. 4 million in technical equipment and support.

Throughout the project, GIZ emphasised the need to establish a shared vision where renewables form the basis of energy for the future. 

Praising the competition, Power Ministry Secretary Wasantha Perera, said: “I commend the entire programme as it has given an opportunity for everyone to showcase their innovative ideas to promote clean energy sources and conscientious use of energy, which is what the Government is promoting. These innovations are necessary for sustainable development, especially where all sectors are involved. This has provided an added advantage where one single message is spread across all communities and everyone on the team participates and takes on the responsibility to maintain the ‘Champion’ status.  Additionally, the synergy witnessed between the partners and the team is also truly commendable.” 

The government sector entry was won by the Kuliyapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, a local authority in the Kurunegala district, for its bio-gas waste management system, a rooftop solar system and promotion of sustainable practices among the community.

Thermal R Industries Ltd., a start-up, received the award in the private sector category for its innovative pilot project which sought to convert five existing two-stroke three-wheeler engines into electric drive. In the community-based organisations category, the Sabaragamuwa Janatha Padanama emerged the winner for successfully increasing hydroelectricity to power the local Kithul industry, and installing a solar power rooftop system to a nearby school to ensure electricity generation and uninterrupted education for the students.

Expressing his views, Ambassador Seubert stated: “As the negative impacts of climate change and the unsustainable lifestyles of the modern world become more evident, we must act now and take our future and that of our children into our own hands. Let us together be a part of this change. Only through a joint commitment will we be able to maintain the beauty of this planet and make sure it will be a worthy place to live in the future. The promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency can play a vital role in tackling the pressing environmental challenges we are facing. With the Green Energy Champion project funded by the German Federal Foreign Office we want to support the goals of our Sri Lankan partners towards a greener future, working together on Sri Lanka’s vision of shifting fully towards renewable energies.”

The competition also provided an ideal platform to boost energy innovation in Sri Lanka through sustainable and clean solutions. Through GIZ’s support several innovative energy pioneers, have been able to implement their proposals, and the winning entries were showcased not only as best-practice models for sustainable energy in the country but also as examples for future projects to be implemented throughout the country.