Solar plant ups Ashok Leyland’s clean energy sourcing to 60%

Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group and commercial vehicle manufacturers, announced that it has increased the sourcing of clean energy to 60% for its countrywide operations. Now 75% of its energy consumption in Tamil Nadu and 60% throughout India is procured through the solar rooftop, solar ground mount, and wind based renewable energy. Hinduja Renewables, part of the Hinduja Group, has built a solar plant for Ashok Leyland, with a capacity of 75 MWp, located in Sivagangai district in Tamil Nadu. The plant is expected to generate over 120 million units of power annually. The implementation of the solar plant started in May 2020, set up through its subsidiary, Prathama Solarconnect Energy Pvt Ltd. It started with site selection in Vepancolum village, Sivagangai district, followed by site preparation. The solar panels are in a fixed tilt mounting arrangement for peak energy production. Drones were used to relay back real time information and progress. The plant was commissioned in nine months and is expected to generate over 120 million units of power annually. The latest software and applications are installed for real time monitoring and optimisation. The company has implemented smart maintenance using data analytics. Vipin Sondhi, MD and CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, “Sourcing energy from this captive solar power plant will ensure abatement of 85,000 tonnes of carbon emissions which is equal to planting 157,487 trees annually.” Ashok Leyland’s headquarters in Chennai has been awarded the leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) platinum building certificate. Ashok Leyland is a net water positive company. Written from a company news release.Image: Ashok Leyland's 75 MWp Sivagangai plant is built by its sister company Hinduja Renewables.