29 SEP 2025

Partnership to boost education, research, and industry–academia collaboration in support of the energy transition.

University of Ruhuna and Greenstat Hydrogen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for cooperation in hydrogen research, innovation, and capacity development. The agreement aims to strengthen academia–industry collaboration and position Sri Lanka as an active player in the regional green hydrogen economy.

Expanding research and education

The MoU will support joint initiatives to expand hydrogen education, advance research and development, and create opportunities for students and academics to participate in applied hydrogen projects. By combining academic expertise with industry knowledge, the partnership seeks to build a skilled workforce and accelerate Sri Lanka’s transition to sustainable energy.

Ceremony and participants

The signing ceremony was attended by Senior Professor P.A. Jayantha, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, together with Professor H.C.P. Karunasena, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Eng.Veditha De Silva, DMENA, Faculty of Engineering and Dr. Sumith Baduge, Head of the Department of Marine Engineering & Naval Architecture. Greenstat Hydrogen was represented by Chairman Sturle H. Pedersen and Prasadini Wickramasinghe.

29 SEP 2025

Five-year MoU strengthens research collaboration on hydrogen technologies and supports Sri Lanka’s energy transition.

University of Moratuwa (UoM) and Greenstat Hydrogen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a formal framework for collaboration on hydrogen technologies and green energy solutions. The strategic partnership is designed to align with Sri Lanka’s national priority on green hydrogen and will leverage UoM’s research excellence to strengthen the country’s role in the regional energy value chain.

Strengthening research and innovation

The five-year MoU focuses on applied research and technological innovation, marking a significant step towards building a sustainable energy future for the nation. The partnership will enable joint initiatives in knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the development of practical hydrogen applications that can accelerate Sri Lanka’s energy transition.

Ceremony and participants

The signing ceremony brought together senior representatives from both institutions. Representing the University of Moratuwa were Vice Chancellor Senior Professor Niranjan Gunawardena, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Jagath Manathunga, Registrar Mr. D.L.D. Jayantha, and Director of International Relations Dr. G.V.I. Samaradivakara. Also in attendance was Professor M.Y. Gunasekara, Head of the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, underscoring the academic importance of the collaboration.

Greenstat Hydrogen was represented by Chairman of the Board, Hon. Sturle Harald Pedersen and Coordinator of Greenstat Center of Excellence in Hydrogen (COE-H) Prasadini Wickramasinghe.

A high-level meeting between India’s Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) and delegations from HAVTIL, Greenstat Asia, and Gexcon was recently held to discuss potential collaboration and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

The meeting was described as both productive and engaging, focusing on how the organisations can work together to support and strengthen safety standards and practices across the energy sector.

Director General Shri Arun Mittal and his team at OISD warmly hosted the visiting delegation, facilitating insightful discussions on mutual areas of interest. The exchange highlighted the importance of leveraging shared expertise and experiences to address safety challenges in the energy industry.

All parties expressed their interest in continuing the dialogue and exploring ways to collaborate further, with the goal of enhancing safety frameworks within the energy sector.

Learn More:

• Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD)

• HAVTIL

In a significant step towards advancing the green hydrogen ecosystem in Asia, Greenstat Asia, together with HAVTIL and Gexcon, engaged in a productive meeting with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in India. The meeting was graciously hosted by Dr. Mohammed Rihan, Director General of NISE, alongside his esteemed team, setting the stage for strategic cooperation in the hydrogen and renewable energy sectors.

The meeting focused on identifying collaborative opportunities that could accelerate the deployment of green hydrogen technologies across Asia, aligning with global decarbonisation goals. By bringing together industry leaders in hydrogen safety, technology deployment, and energy systems, the dialogue fostered knowledge exchange and reinforced the collective commitment to support India’s National Hydrogen Mission and broader energy transition efforts.

“We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Mohammed Rihan and his excellent team at NISE for hosting such an insightful and productive discussion,” said Sturle H. Pedersen, Chairman of Greenstat Asia. “It was a great pleasure exploring collaborative opportunities and exchanging valuable knowledge to support each other in accelerating the transition towards a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem. We look forward to strengthening this cooperation further.”

Greenstat Asia Chairman Meets ISA Director General to Advance Strategic Clean Energy Collaboration

Greenstat Asia’s Chairman Sturle H. Pedersen recently met with Dr. Ashish Kannan, Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), for a high-level discussion aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two organisations.

The meeting marked an important milestone in Greenstat Asia’s mission to accelerate green hydrogen and renewable energy partnerships across Sri Lanka, Asia, and ISA’s global member countries. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to supporting the sustainable energy transition, with a focus on innovation, technology transfer, and clean energy capacity building.

Unlocking Hydrogen Partnerships to Support Asia’s Sustainable Energy Transition

The discussions explored avenues to align Greenstat Asia’s green hydrogen expertise with ISA’s solar leadership to create synergistic projects in Sri Lanka and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Chairman Pedersen highlighted Greenstat Asia’s role in promoting renewable energy education, public-private partnerships, and pilot projects that can fast-track the commercialisation of green hydrogen in Sri Lanka. Both sides agreed that combining forces would provide greater momentum towards Asia’s energy transition goals, ensuring equitable access to clean energy technologies.

Chairman Pedersen expressed Greenstat Asia’s readiness to work closely with ISA to shape impactful actions that accelerate Asia’s energy transition, while contributing to global climate goals through sustainable and inclusive energy solutions.

In a key dialogue on Sri Lanka’s renewable energy future, Greenstat Asia Chairman Sturle Harald Pedersen met with the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Harini Amarasuriya, to explore long-term collaboration in green hydrogen education, research, and capacity building.

The discussion focused on strengthening institutional partnerships to advance Sri Lanka’s hydrogen roadmap, combining international expertise with local innovation.

Also present at the meeting were Nalaka Kaluwewe, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, and Prasadini Wickramasinghe, Coordinator of the Greenstat Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen (COE-H) in Sri Lanka.

Advancing hydrogen partnerships in research and higher education

Mr. Pedersen outlined Greenstat’s mission to support Sri Lanka’s clean energy goals and shared recent progress in developing a national ecosystem for hydrogen research and knowledge exchange.

Hydrogen Master’s Degree Programme

Greenstat is collaborating with Sri Lankan universities to launch the country’s first Master’s programme in green hydrogen. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed with the University of Peradeniya, with further agreements underway with the University of Moratuwa, University of Jaffna, and University of Ruhuna.

Research tools and capacity building

Through the COE-H, Greenstat is integrating advanced software tools such as EFFECTS and RISKCURVES into university curricula. These tools are essential for training students in process safety, consequence modelling, and risk assessment in hydrogen production and storage.

Promoting skills and awareness in hydrogen technologies

Beyond academic collaboration, Greenstat’s initiatives focus on creating a skilled workforce and raising public awareness on green hydrogen.

Open-access webinars and training

The COE-H conducts free webinars covering various segments of the hydrogen value chain, offering knowledge-sharing opportunities for students, professionals, and policymakers.

Clean Marine Pilot Project in Bentota

In partnership with Midwest Energy, Greenstat Hydrogen Sri Lanka is piloting a hydrogen-electric boat project in the Bentota estuary. The initiative aims to decarbonise inland water transport in tourism and fisheries sectors by replacing ageing diesel vessels with clean, quiet electric alternatives—protecting ecosystems and improving visitor experience.

Building momentum for hydrogen education in Sri Lanka

During the meeting, Prime Minister Amarasuriya acknowledged Greenstat’s commitment to sustainable development and expressed interest in expanding hydrogen-related content in technical and vocational education. Emphasis was placed on aligning curriculum development with global energy transition trends and preparing youth for emerging green jobs.

A message from Greenstat Asia

“We envision the Centre of Excellence as a national platform for international collaboration—from research partnerships to skills development,” said Mr. Sturle Pedersen, Chairman of Greenstat Asia and Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Bergen–Vestland. “We are grateful for the Ministry’s support in shaping a workforce ready to power a hydrogen-driven future.”

Greenstat Hydrogen Sri Lanka: Supporting the energy transition

Greenstat Hydrogen Sri Lanka is a knowledge and innovation partner in the country’s hydrogen ecosystem, working with academic institutions, government agencies, and industry to accelerate Sri Lanka’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The company supports the entire hydrogen value chain—from feasibility studies and technology integration to project execution and investment facilitation.

By enabling international-local partnerships, providing cutting-edge tools, and promoting sustainable infrastructure, Greenstat is helping to shape Sri Lanka’s role as a regional leader in hydrogen innovation.

Stay updated on Sri Lanka’s hydrogen journey

Greenstat Hydrogen Sri Lanka invites all stakeholders to join its mission of creating clean energy solutions and green job opportunities.

• Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube
• Explore our upcoming webinars and educational initiatives
• Connect with us to collaborate on green hydrogen in Sri Lanka

Date: 10 March 2025

Greenstat Hydrogen and the University of Peradeniya have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and capacity building in sustainable energy. The signing ceremony took place at the University of Peradeniya, with high-level representatives from both parties in attendance.

Greenstat Hydrogen Chairman and Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Bergen-Vestland, Norway, Sturle Harald Pedersen expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration, stating: “It was a great honour and pleasure to sign this MoU alongside Vice Chancellor Prof. Terrence Madhujith. This collaboration marks a significant step toward driving impactful developments in the hydrogen sector. We look forward to working together to accelerate sustainable energy solutions.”

The Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, industry-academia collaboration, and talent development in hydrogen technologies. Through this partnership, Greenstat Hydrogen and the University of Peradeniya will focus on capacity building, student training programmes, and the promotion of hydrogen as a viable clean energy source for Sri Lanka.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Terrence Madhujith highlighted the broader impact of this initiative, stating: “This is a great opportunity for the University of Peradeniya and for the entire country. We are excited about this collaboration and look forward to working together. Our long-term vision includes creating job opportunities for graduates who seek employment abroad, while also transitioning our university to operate on sustainable energy sources such as green hydrogen, biomass, solar, and wind power.”

The partnership will also see the formation of a Hydrogen Association, bringing together key industry stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers to foster innovation and policy advocacy in the hydrogen sector. Additionally, Greenstat Hydrogen will collaborate with the University of Peradeniya to develop training programmes and internships for students, ensuring a skilled workforce for Sri Lanka’s emerging hydrogen economy.

This collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s energy transition, aligning with national and global sustainability goals while positioning the country as a leader in green hydrogen research and innovation.

Hydrogen Governance: Insights from Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy

Discover how governance is the cornerstone of effective hydrogen strategy implementation in this informative webinar featuring Florian Kohlhammer, a consultant for GIZ in the Hydrogen Coordination Office (Leitstelle Wasserstoff). With a focus on Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy, Florian offers key insights into governance, stakeholder management, and how these elements support the global hydrogen transition.

📢 What You’ll Learn

✅ The importance of stakeholder management in transformational processes.
✅ How the governance structure of Germany’s Hydrogen Strategy is designed.
✅ Where the strategy aligns with theoretical models of stakeholder management.

About the Speaker

Florian Kohlhammer brings extensive experience in energy transition, hydrogen strategy, and governance. He has collaborated with key stakeholders in Germany, Chile, Sweden, and the USA, applying his expertise in business development and agile project management to drive hydrogen development globally.

📺 Watch the Webinar

Gain exclusive insights into governance and stakeholder management in hydrogen development. This webinar is a must-watch for professionals in the hydrogen sector, policymakers, and anyone interested in energy transition strategies.

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