Que: Shree Cement recently installed a 6 MWp solar plant at its Roorkee facility. What would be the expected annual electricity generation capacity?

Ans: In a decisive step towards advancing sustainable manufacturing, Shree Cement has commissioned a 6 MWp solar power plant at its Roorkee unit, significantly strengthening our renewable energy capacity and environmental performance. With this addition, the plant’s total solar capacity has expanded from 1 MWp to 7 MWp, enabling the generation of approximately 7.6 million kWh of clean, renewable energy annually. This transition to solar power significantly reduces our reliance on grid electricity, which is predominantly sourced from fossil fuels.

By harnessing solar energy, we are able to offset an estimated 6,500 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, demonstrating our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to India’s broader climate goals. Strategically located adjacent to our cement manufacturing operations, the solar plant enhances energy efficiency and strengthens the sustainability of our production processes.

This initiative reflects Shree Cement’s commitment to embedding environmental stewardship at the heart of our growth strategy. It is a testament to how we are consistently integrating green technologies and innovative practices to create a resilient, future-ready and environmentally responsible manufacturing ecosystem.

Que: What is the model followed for this plant – CAPEX or OPEX? Which company has handled the EPC of the plant?

Ans: In line with our vision to build long-term, sustainable energy infrastructure, Shree Cement has developed the 6 MWp solar power project at its Roorkee unit under a 100 percent CAPEX model. This approach reflects our strategic intent to retain complete ownership and control over the asset, ensuring consistent performance, operational efficiency and long-term value.

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract was awarded to Roofsol Energy, a trusted and experienced partner. Roofsol Energy oversaw the end-to-end execution of the project, including detailed design, procurement of high-quality components, construction and successful commissioning of the plant. Their technical expertise and adherence to stringent quality, safety and efficiency standards played a crucial role in the project's seamless delivery.

With a capital investment of approximately INR 16 crore, this solar installation strengthens our renewable energy portfolio and also supports our broader strategy of integrating clean energy into core manufacturing operations. The project enhances energy self-sufficiency, reduces operational costs and contributes significantly to our sustainability and decarbonisation objectives.

Que: Maintenance of solar plants is a challenge being faced by the C&I consumers, especially under the CAPEX Model. What measures have you taken on this front?

Ans: At Shree Cement, we view the maintenance of solar assets as a critical enabler of energy reliability and long-term sustainability, not just a technical requirement. In the CAPEX model, where ownership and accountability rest entirely with us, maintaining operational excellence is non-negotiable.

We currently manage a solar portfolio of approximately 293.5 MWp across more than 12 sites, supported by a dedicated engineering team that has been instrumental in developing and streamlining maintenance processes over the past three years.

To ensure smooth operations from the outset, we engage the EPC vendor under a first-year Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC), which guarantees expert technical support, proactive issue resolution and preventive care during the crucial initial phase.

This well-structured combination of external expertise and strong internal capabilities enables us to maintain optimal plant performance, minimise downtime and safeguard asset longevity. Through this approach, Shree Cement continues to move forward with confidence on its clean energy journey, delivering both environmental impact and business value.

Que: The company’s total solar plant capacity has reached 293.5 MW. What is the approximate capacity that has been added in the last one year? Beyond solar, what is the company’s strategy for the adoption of renewable energy, for example, wind?

Ans: Shree Cement has significantly expanded its renewable energy portfolio over the past year by adding approximately 114 MWp of solar capacity across six sites. These installations vary in scale, with individual plant sizes ranging from 1.8 MWp to 60 MWp, reflecting our strategic focus on both utility-scale and site-specific solar projects. With this addition, our total solar capacity has reached 293.5 MWp.

Beyond solar, we have also invested in wind energy as part of our broader commitment to sustainable energy adoption. Currently, we operate wind power plants with a combined capacity of 56.3 MW located in Maharashtra and Karnataka. These assets play a crucial role in diversifying our renewable energy mix and enhancing energy resilience across operations.

Our renewable energy strategy is anchored in a balanced multi-source approach aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels and advancing toward our long-term sustainability goals. By leveraging both solar and wind energy, we are steadily progressing on our path to cleaner manufacturing and contributing meaningfully to India’s energy transition.

Que: What is the approximate share of renewable energy in the company’s total electricity consumption? As part of the company's RE100 strategy, what is the company’s target for additional solar and other renewable energy sources by 2030?

Ans: In FY 2024–25, renewable energy accounted for approximately 56 percent of Shree Cement’s total electricity consumption. This includes power generated from solar and wind sources as well as energy recovered through Waste Heat Recovery Boilers (WHRBs), which play a vital role in our overall energy efficiency strategy. Building on this progress, we are targeting an increase in the renewable energy share to over 60 percent in FY 2025–26.

These efforts are closely aligned with our commitment to the RE100 initiative, under which we aim to transition to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030. To support this ambitious goal, we have developed a robust pipeline of renewable energy projects, including new solar and wind installations and the integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to address intermittency and enhance grid reliability.

Our renewable energy roadmap is designed to not only reduce our carbon footprint but also improve long-term energy security and cost competitiveness. As one of the most energy-efficient cement manufacturers globally, Shree Cement remains firmly focused on embedding sustainable energy solutions across its operations and accelerating the shift toward a low-carbon future.

Que: Adding Energy Storage with Solar Projects is being advocated as a strategy to reduce stress on the grid and also benefit from stored energy at night when the tariff is usually higher. What are the company’s plans w.r.t. energy storage?

Ans: As part of our drive to future-proof energy operations, Shree Cement is actively advancing the integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to enhance the reliability, flexibility and resilience of our renewable energy portfolio. While BESS currently entails a high capital investment, we are closely tracking global pricing trends, which are steadily declining, making large-scale adoption increasingly feasible in the near term.

Aligned with our RE100 commitment, we are evaluating the deployment of BESS across multiple locations, including the potential establishment of a centralised, large-scale energy storage facility. This would enable the capture of surplus renewable energy generated during daylight hours and its utilisation during peak demand or nighttime, thereby reducing grid dependency and optimising energy costs.

We are also exploring the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) model to facilitate the efficient transfer of renewable energy across regional sites. Together, these initiatives form a critical part of our clean energy roadmap, supporting our transition to a low-carbon future while ensuring operational continuity and cost effectiveness.