Hayleys Fentons secures EPC to install 4MW rooftop solar project at Hayleys Fabric in partnership with Hayleys Power

Leading Sri Lankan integrated solutions specialists, Hayleys Fentons announced its partnership with sister companies Hayleys Fabric and Hayleys Power to convert the rooftop of one of its primary manufacturing facilities into one of the largest private sector renewable energy sources in the country.

The senior management of all three companies were in attendance at a special ceremony to commemorate the milestone agreement, including Hayleys Fentons Managing Director, Hasith Prematillake, Hayleys Fabric PLC Managing Director, Rohan Goonetilleke and Hayleys Power Directors Russell De Zilva  and Wasaba Jayasekera.

“Particularly as our nation heads into the hottest months of the year, we can regularly expect to face power shortages as hydropower generation capacity becomes strained. We are confident that solar power will be a critical component in solving this challenge.

“That is why Fentons is proud to be partnering Hayleys Fabric and Hayleys Power to drive this milestone rooftop solar project. Moving forward, our aim is to replicate this strategy across the Hayleys Group, and we hope that our example will encourage others in Sri Lanka’s private sector to invest in clean, renewable energy as well,” Prematillake stated.

Under Phase 1, Hayleys Fentons will cover and maintain 64,000 square feet of rooftop area with solar panels at Hayleys Fabric’s manufacturing facility at Horana, generating an initial 1MWp of solar power, with a total of 4MWp capacity – amongst the largest installations in Sri Lanka’s private sector – being planned in future. Meanwhile, Hayleys Power will be the investment arm raising the necessary funding lines.

“Sustainability is a core consideration for Hayleys Fabric, as evidenced by our multi-pronged approach to the environment – spanning support for biodiversity conservation and reforestation initiatives to organic farming, resource and efficiency optimisation as well as the utilisation of sustainable raw materials.

“With the deployment of rooftop solar capacity, we are further strengthening our commitment to environmental sustainability, while also enhancing profitability through the use of spaces which were previously idle. This is a win-win for our stakeholders, and our nation,” Goonetilleke stated.

Commenting on the project Hayleys Power Managing Director, Russell De Zilva said: “We are happy and excited to serve as the main investor facilitating the conversion of Hayleys manufacturing facilities into solar energy. With this we hope to begin the journey of establishing 10MW of renewable energy within the group. This project represents an emerging frontier in clean, renewable energy for Hayleys and we look forward to supporting the deployment of such similarly environmentally-friendly strategies across the World of Hayleys.”

Since 1921, Fentons has been a leading engineering company with a diverse portfolio spanning the banking, finance and insurance, hospitality, high-rise developments, stadiums, education, healthcare, manufacturing, telecom etc. The company offers specialized expertise in mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), ICT and electronic safety and security solutions and is partnered with global brands. ‘Hayleys Solar’, the renewable energy arm of Fentons has been entrusted with over 30MWp of Solar Installations across the country. Fentons became a member of the World of Hayleys in 2016.

Hayleys Fabric PLC is a pioneer in textiles manufacturing in Sri Lanka capable of delivering end-to-end solutions from design to manufacture and was the first apparel sector company to be listed on the Colombo stock exchange in 2003. Maintaining an production capacity of 2.5 million meters of fabric per month, the company stands as a leading partner to globally renowned fashion, apparel and accessories brands such as Decathlon, Intimissimi, Victoria’s Secret, NEXT, BHS, Marks & Spencer, TESCO, George, and DBA.

Hayleys Power is the Hayleys Group’s renewable energy investment arm which owns and operates 50 MW of Solar, Wind and Mini Hydro plants across the island.

Established in 1878 by Chas. P. Hayley as a trading house in Galle specialising in import and export, the Hayleys Group has since grown to serve as a centrepiece of the Sri Lankan economy while maintaining a global presence of manufacturing and marketing offices across 5 regions with business interests spanning a total of 16 sectors.  Today it stands out as one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent success stories, having been the first listed Sri Lankan corporate to surpass US$ 1billion in revenue and accounting for 3.3% of the nation’s total export earnings.