Renault Nissan Automotive India sustains growth in green energy usage for operational needs

By OEM Update Editorial February 22, 2024 6:47 pm IST

Between July and December 2023, the auto manufacturer utilized over 85 percent green energy for its operations, with 100 percent green energy usage specifically in September 2023.

Taking ahead its commitment to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2045, Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd (RNAIPL), the automotive manufacturer located in Oragadam, Chennai, has announced that it has predominantly used green power for its operations during the second half of 2023. On an average, the plant utilized more than 85 percent green energy every month between July and December 2023, with 100 percent green energy utilization in September 2023. RNAIPL uses a combination of in-house and externally sourced green energy to produce cars.

Keerthi Prakash, Managing Director, RNAIPL, said: “RNAIPL is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations and last year, we announced our comprehensive plan for achieving carbon neutral operations by the year 2045 and becoming water positive by the year 2030. Our latest green energy milestone, with an average use of 85 percent green energy in the second half of 2023, demonstrates our unwavering dedication to sustainability. We are committed to further enhancing our environmental stewardship and contributing to a more sustainable future.”

Utilising Green Energy for Sustainable Operations

RNAIPL uses a three-pillared approach as part of its roadmap to carbon neutrality. These pillars are increasing the share of green energy in the overall mix, aggressively improving efficiencies in energy usage and continuous adoption of energy efficient technology at its Oragadam plant.

RNAIPL’s energy portfolio includes a mix of conventional power supplied by the government and various green power sources such as solar power, wind power, and bagasse/cogen power. RNAIPL has plans to transition to 100 percent consistent renewable energy usage by 2045.

RNAIPL has an in-house solar plant with a capacity of 2.2 MW, which feeds directly into the plant’s power grid, with additional plans to expand capacity to up to 14 MW in the next few years. Additionally, other green power is sourced from external suppliers located in Tamil Nadu. Wind power is sourced from wind farms from Tirunelveli/ Coimbatore, a geographical area that is naturally well placed to harness wind power. Additionally, solar power is sourced from solar farms in Tirupur region.

Between July and December 2023, RNAIPL used on an average more than 85 percent green energy in its overall energy mix. In September 2023, RNAIPL achieved a significant milestone by operating entirely (100 percent) on green power wherein close to half of the total power was sourced from wind farms (49 percent). Nearly one-third of the power was supplied by bagasse/cogen power (30 percent) and the rest by solar power including the in-house solar plant which provided 3 percent of the total power requirements for the month.

Through its consistent and conscious utilization of green energy, RNAIPL has managed to cut down over 30,000 tons of CO2 emissions between July and December 2023.