SAGT Installs 460 kW Rooftop Solar to Cut Carbon Footprint

23 Sep 2025 CW Team

South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) has strengthened its decarbonisation drive with the installation of a 460 kW rooftop solar panel array at its administrative facility, completed during the 2024/25 financial year. This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to net-zero emissions and greater reliance on renewable energy.

SAGT, the only terminal in Sri Lanka to publicly disclose its environmental performance via an independently accredited sustainability report, has prioritised decarbonising its operations. Scope 1 emissions have been reduced through hybridisation of its Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) crane fleet, with 28 of 31 cranes converted, achieving a 22 per cent reduction in carbon intensity per move over six years.

The new rooftop solar array targets Scope 2 emissions, which accounted for 22 per cent of SAGT’s overall carbon footprint in 2024/25. Supplying around 3–5 per cent of the company’s annual energy demand, it marks the first instance of onsite renewable energy generation at SAGT.

Looking ahead, SAGT plans further sustainability measures, including the introduction of two electric forklifts in 2025 and the conversion of 30 of its 80 prime movers to electric models. Additional solar installations on gatehouse rooftops are also being evaluated, creating “green gates” powered entirely by solar energy, independent of the grid.

These initiatives demonstrate SAGT’s commitment to aligning operational excellence with environmental responsibility. CEO Romesh David commented: “The commissioning of our rooftop solar array marks a new chapter in our sustainability journey. We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint while supporting national and global climate goals, leading by example through clean energy adoption and innovation-driven decarbonisation.

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