New Zealand-based multinational dairy co-operative Fonterra has opened a solar powered milk chilling center in Hanwella, Sri Lanka.
The chilling facility features 32 solar panels with a 3.24 kW capacity and is expected to conserve about 22,000 kW of power annually. It is one of the nine Fonterra chilling centers established across five districts - Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala, Puttalam and Matale.
The installation of solar panel at Hanwella chilling center allows the company to conserve energy and minimize environmental footprint, Fonterra noted.
Currently, Fonterra sources milk from a network of 4,000 Sri Lankan dairy farmers to process dairy products under the Anchor Newdale brand.
Fonterra brands Sri Lanka managing director Leon Clement said that the co-operative is committed to work alongside the Government and invest in new technologies to help develop the dairy sector.
"We have been collecting fresh milk in Sri Lanka for more than 15 years and we are committed to collecting and processing this fresh milk sustainably," Clement said.
Recently, Fonterra installed energy saving initiatives at its milk processing plant in Biyagama, Sri Lanka, which have helped it to cut down annual energy consumption by 40%.