- Commissions Rs. 1.1 b biomass boiler at Kurunegala plant
- Transition to slash CO2 emissions by 90 percent from current steam boilers
Switzerland will support Sri Lanka in its sustainable energy drive as it strives to reduce its reliance on imported fuel and be independent in energy management, said Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka, Dr. Siri Walt.
He was speaking at a ceremony to commission Nestle Lanka’s biomass boiler at its factory in Kurunegala last week.
“Nestle has a longstanding presence in Sri Lanka of almost 120 years producing household names. The groundbreaking investment into the biomass boiler is a testament to Nestle’s commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Walt said.
Sri Lanka has set itself on another ambitious target of generating 100 percent of its electricity need from renewable energy sources by 2050 with an aim to transition towards complete clean energy from its previous target of meeting 70 percent of the energy requirement from renewable energy. Nestle Lanka’s Rs. 1.1 billion investment will facilitate the transition from the use of furnace oil to biomass for generating steam in its manufacturing operations.
The transition will lead to a 90 percent reduction in carbon emissions generated from current steam boilers.
Nestle Lanka Managing Director Bernie Stefan said the commissioning of the biomass boilers marks Nestle’s endeavour to achieve zero carbon emissions and support the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative.
Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman Prof. Tilak Hewawasam said that the CEA gets around 6,000 complaints on environmental pollution a month which shows the level of concern for the environment. The water of the Kelani River is polluted badly by factories operating along the river.
Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti said the investment of Nestle will be an eye opener to many institutions to shift towards renewable energy solutions.
“It is not only the private sector but s also the responsibility of the government to provide quality food, earn every dollar for the country and ensure a cleaner country for the people,” he said.
