UltraTech Cement to Source 25% of Its Energy from Renewables

UltraTech Cement Limited, the largest manufacturer of grey cement, white cement and ready-mix concrete in India, is aiming to increase contribution of green energy to 25% of its total power consumption by 2021. This increase is more than double the current contribution of 10% of green energy to total energy consumption by the Company.

The increase in green energy contribution comes in the wake of UltraTech’s commitment to increase contribution of renewable energy to its total power consumption by five times in the next two years. Renewable energy will contribute to more than 10 per cent of its total power consumption by 2021.

The Company plans to build capacity to generate more than 650 million units of renewable power by 2021. The increased use of renewable power for UltraTech’s electrical energy requirements will result in annual carbon emission reduction of 533000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and in 25 years total carbon footprint reduction of 13 million tonnes of carbon dioxide With this, UltraTech will be among the largest users of renewable energy in the Indian cement sector.

In addition to renewable energy, the green energy contribution includes energy generated through waste heat recovery systems (WHRS). During FY’19, UltraTech commissioned 28 MW of WHRS taking its total generation from WHRS to 8% of total power consumption. There are more investments in progress which are expected to be completed in a phased manner by 2021, taking WHRS to 15% of total power requirement.

Speaking about the company’s commitment, Mr K K Maheshwari, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “To bring the cement sector in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change, its annual emissions will need to fall by at least 16% by 2030. There are a number of solutions for reducing emissions associated with cement production as identified by the latest Low Carbon Technology Roadmap published by International Energy Agency (IEA) in partnership with Cement Sustainability Initiative”. He added, “UltraTech is committed to embedding sustainability into its business conduct. We recognize that we need to embrace new ways of working and adopt innovative solutions that create impact at scale”.

UltraTech Cement has set a target to reduce its carbon emissions by 25% (from 2005-06 level) by 2021. The company is already working on carbon reduction levers like energy efficiency, alternative fuels, waste heat recovery, renewable energy and reducing clinker to cement ratio. To achieve this objective, UltraTech has set path towards increasing its WHRS capacity and enabling low carbon product-mix through thermal substitution.

Aradhana Sharma

Aradhana Sharma is an environmentalist and nature lover, and and takes keen interest in urging people to adopt an Eco-friendly lifestyle. She can be reached at aradhana.sharma@delhigreens.org

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