Sri Lanka solar energy efforts gained momentum as South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) installed a rooftop solar system and expanded its shift to hybrid and electric operations to support national climate goals.
SAGT installs rooftop solar and expands electric operations to cut carbon footprint.
Sri Lanka solar energy adoption continues to grow with the latest initiative from South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), a unit of John Keells Holdings, which has installed a 460-kilowatt rooftop solar array on its main offices. The project supplies around 3 to 5 percent of the company’s annual energy requirements and is part of a broader strategy to decarbonize port operations.
Chief Executive Romesh David said the investment reflects a strong commitment to reducing environmental impact while aligning with global climate objectives. The rooftop installation directly addresses Scope 2 emissions, which accounted for 22 percent of SAGT’s overall carbon footprint in the 2024/25 period. By generating renewable electricity on-site, the company reduces reliance on grid power while lowering indirect emissions.
Alongside its solar investment, SAGT has also made significant progress in curbing Scope 1 emissions through hybrid technology. Twenty-eight of its 31 Rubber Tyred Gantry cranes have been converted to hybrid systems, leading to a 22 percent reduction in carbon intensity per move over the past six years. These changes demonstrate how renewable energy and hybridization can deliver measurable operational efficiency and environmental benefits.
Looking forward, SAGT plans to accelerate its sustainability agenda with further renewable energy and electrification initiatives. In 2025, the company will introduce two electric forklifts and begin converting 30 of its 80 prime movers to electric models. Additional solar panels are being considered for gatehouse rooftops to create “green gates,” enabling gate operations to run independently of the grid with zero emissions.
David emphasized that as the shipping and logistics industry evolves, SAGT aims to lead by example through clean energy adoption and innovation-driven decarbonization. The company’s embrace of Sri Lanka solar energy initiatives underlines the growing role of renewable power in modernizing infrastructure and reducing the environmental impact of large-scale operations.