Shree Cement to launch 106 MW solar projects to meet power demand

17 Sep 2021 CW Team

Shree Cement, a cement manufacturer based in Kolkata, plans to build 106 MW of solar power projects to meet the captive power needs of its various cement manufacturing facilities.

By the third quarter of 2022, the proposed capacity is likely to be added. Internal accruals will be used to invest around Rs 5 billion in these solar projects. By reducing its carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels, the company hopes to maximise the use of clean energy in its operations.

Previously, the company had secured net metering connectivity for a 1.99 MW captive rooftop solar power project in Jharkhand with a 132 kV voltage supply. To cut power costs and go green, large power consumers are leaning toward power procurement from open access solar projects.

Since most industrial facilities lack sufficient roof space to generate solar power, they have opted for the group captive and captive model.

Last year, Orient Cement, a subsidiary of the CK Birla Group, announced a Rs 40.5 million investment in AMPSolar Systems Private Limited to build a 13.5 MW solar project for captive power generation.

Mahindra & Mahindra signed a power purchase agreement with ReNew Sunlight Energy, a subsidiary of ReNew Green Energy Solutions, in July to purchase solar power as a captive consumer from its open-access project.

Renewable purchase obligations (RPO) for industrial consumers are also increasing, and obtaining power from open access solar projects has become a necessity. Most states, on the other hand, have revised annual open access charges via one-year tariff orders, making these charges unpredictable beyond a year.

According to Mercom's India Open Access Solar Market India Update Q1 2021, open-access solar installations in India totalled 419 MW in the first quarter of 2021, bringing the total solar installations in the open-access market to 4.3 GW in March.

Image Source

Also read: SAUBHAGYA scheme: Assam discom invites bids for 71,199 solar systems

Shree Cement, a cement manufacturer based in Kolkata, plans to build 106 MW of solar power projects to meet the captive power needs of its various cement manufacturing facilities. By the third quarter of 2022, the proposed capacity is likely to be added. Internal accruals will be used to invest around Rs 5 billion in these solar projects. By reducing its carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels, the company hopes to maximise the use of clean energy in its operations. Previously, the company had secured net metering connectivity for a 1.99 MW captive rooftop solar power project in Jharkhand with a 132 kV voltage supply. To cut power costs and go green, large power consumers are leaning toward power procurement from open access solar projects. Since most industrial facilities lack sufficient roof space to generate solar power, they have opted for the group captive and captive model. Last year, Orient Cement, a subsidiary of the CK Birla Group, announced a Rs 40.5 million investment in AMPSolar Systems Private Limited to build a 13.5 MW solar project for captive power generation. Mahindra & Mahindra signed a power purchase agreement with ReNew Sunlight Energy, a subsidiary of ReNew Green Energy Solutions, in July to purchase solar power as a captive consumer from its open-access project. Renewable purchase obligations (RPO) for industrial consumers are also increasing, and obtaining power from open access solar projects has become a necessity. Most states, on the other hand, have revised annual open access charges via one-year tariff orders, making these charges unpredictable beyond a year. According to Mercom's India Open Access Solar Market India Update Q1 2021, open-access solar installations in India totalled 419 MW in the first quarter of 2021, bringing the total solar installations in the open-access market to 4.3 GW in March. Image Source Also read: SAUBHAGYA scheme: Assam discom invites bids for 71,199 solar systems

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..