ECO33- Turnkey Energy retrofit solution with a purpose

‍An Australian and Sri Lankan game changing business model, is accelerating climate action through multiple benefits including improving profits, reducing energy consumption, realising GHG/CO2 savings and establishing sustainable systems.

ECO33 (formally Lanka Energy conservation) Sri Lanka was established in 2014 by the Western Australian energy award winner and energy conservation thought leader, Dammica Wickramaratne. (Sri Lankan bornAustralian, living in Perth over 30 years). The company’s sole purpose is to bring Australian energy retrofit and energy conservation technology and expertise toSri Lanka.

The building sector (hotels, airports, commercial real estate, hospitals, apartments) contributes to 40% of global GHG emissions. Energy is the costliest element in any organisation, and particularly high in Sri Lanka.ECO33 initially identified Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry for support as tourism was booming. Young graduates were recruited from leading universities and technical colleges in Sri Lanka in the fields of mechanical, electrical and electronics. These graduates were provided opportunities to be trained overseas, returning to Sri Lanka with innovative solutions.

Cinnamon Grand hotel, a member of the John Keells group, was ECO33’s first customer. The hotel installed ECO33’s flagship solution “Energy Performance Guarantee EPG” saving over LKR 48 million from energy bills per annum– and the equivalent of 1248 tonnes of CO2 (https://www.ft.lk/Travel-Tourism/cinnamon-grand-most-intelligent-building-in-sri-lanka/27-399446).

Providing commercial guarantees on proposed energy savings outcome, is considered a game changing business model. Australian entrepreneurDammica Wickramaratne has bought this model to Sri Lanka and to the world. The model has accelerated Australian green technology transfer for organisations to embrace triple bottom line advantages, whilst contributing to national and global climate action goals.

ECO33 Australia has invested in ECO33 Sri Lanka, to be the global support and engineering design centre. Since 2014, the company has received two presidential awards and one global award in Energy conservation. To date, ECO33 have saved over 41 million kWh from the grid – the equivalent of 21 million kg ofCO2 emissions across customer sites in Sri Lanka, Maldives and Australia.

This achievement would not have been possible without Australian expertise and Sri Lankan talent. Diversity and gender balance are among the company’s topmost priorities and are embedded in the company values.

The company promotes energy retrofit and energy efficiency technologies and in 2014 was the first company to introduce the magnetic bearing, energy efficient chiller SMARDT– SMARDT is an Australian invention. Sri Lanka was the first SAARC country to adopt this new technology, with over 40 units installed across the country including in airports, defence, hotels, apparel factories etc. The company also installed the largest energy efficient magnetic bearing chillers at the Shangri La, One Galle Face mall.

ECO33 offers 24x7 engineering support on-site and remote, lifting industry standards in engineering service commitment on par with Australian standards: http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2021/07/18/news/lanka-australia-innovation-reduce-harmful-emissions

Energy has a direct impact on climate change. Australia’s leadership in climate action and its role in promoting sustainable business practices is helping change business practice. ECO33’s energy solutions have amplified and strengthened the Australia - Sri Lanka relationship. It provides a win-win model which could be of value to other businesses.  

Whilst the world is accelerating adaptation of renewable energy, ECO33 will continue to promote energy retrofit solutions, the cheapest source of energy in the world – while strengthening our enduring friendship which spans for many decades!