German support for SL SMEs to build capacity in renewable energy

Technologies and know-how for climate-friendly energy supply “made in Germany” are in demand worldwide. A growing number of private and public sector organizations are recognizing the importance of renewable energies, energy efficiency as well as intelligent system solutions that not only reduce dependence on fossil resources and contribute to climate protection but also help cut costs and strengthen competitiveness. In this capacity, the ‘German Energy Solutions Initiative’ has the goal to encourage the use of sustainable energy solutions and improve industry cooperation between Germany and partner countries.

From 21-25 February 2022, the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) in cooperation with eclareon GmbH organized a virtual fact-finding mission from Germany to Sri Lanka in the field of sustainable technologies and intelligent solutions for energy efficiency in buildings.

During the fact-finding mission, Sri Lankan SMEs were presented with the latest solutions, expertise, and opportunities for collaboration in the field of energy efficiency in residential and non-residential buildings. As part of the German Energy Solutions Initiative, the project is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

Following the fact-finding mission, AHK Sri Lanka organized an information event for the German companies to understand the existing practices of the Sri Lankan energy sector. During the information event, Sri Lankan industry experts from the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka, and DIMO presented insights on the Sri Lankan energy sector. In the next months, the initiative will offer business matchmaking services for Sri Lankan companies. German companies will visit Sri Lanka end of this year to materialize business partnerships with the potential SMEs in the country.

In a second current initiative in the field of energy and energy efficiency, AHK Sri Lanka is conducting an online training course for “Energy Managers”. The training course is based on the German concept of certified energy managers and is aimed at participants from the private sector, focusing on SMEs, who will be trained on increasing energy efficiency in their respective companies. Janaka Gunatileka, a national expert in the field and international expert and Elena Orth will conduct the training up until 04 May 2022. In the training series, participants will be informed on the various aspects of energy efficiency, efficient best practices in the field to decrease energy-usage in their respective companies. The initiative is supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.