Shree Cement Ltd, India’s third-largest cement manufacturer by capacity, proudly announced that it has surpassed a significant milestone by achieving an installed power capacity of 1 gigawatt (GW). This achievement was marked by the recent commissioning of a 19.5 MW solar power plant at its manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh.
The 1 GW capacity represents a diverse mix of power sources, including solar, wind, thermal, and waste heat recovery plants. This diversified approach ensures that Shree Cement can meet the electricity demands of its cement production efficiently and sustainably.
In line with its commitment to renewable energy, Shree Cement has invested a substantial ₹4,000 crore to expand its renewable energy portfolio. Currently, nearly 50% of its installed power capacity, amounting to 499 MW, comes from renewable sources. This includes a notable 244 MW from waste heat recovery, which is among the highest capacities in the global cement industry.
Looking ahead, Shree Cement has earmarked an estimated capital expenditure of ₹1,000 crore for FY25 to further augment its renewable energy capacity. The planned projects include 132 MW of solar capacity across five states—Jharkhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand—36 MW of wind generation in Rajasthan, and 34 MW of waste heat recovery capacity in Karnataka and Rajasthan.
Neeraj Akhoury, Managing Director of Shree Cement, commented on this milestone, stating, “Achieving a power capacity portfolio of this size ensures that we have abundant electricity to not just power our existing cement production but also our expansion projects. We will contribute the surplus power to states and the central grid.”
Akhoury also highlighted the company’s sustainability achievements, noting, “Significant integration of green electricity has helped us produce cement in a more sustainable and cost-effective manner. Today nearly 56% of our power requirement is met from renewable resources, which is the highest in the Indian cement industry. Our aim is to set a benchmark for sustainability within the cement sector and inspire positive change throughout the industry.”
In its drive towards sustainability, Shree Cement has recently joined the RE100 initiative, committing to utilize 100% renewable electricity for its operations by 2050. The company is exploring advanced techniques to enhance its use of renewable energy, such as battery storage, pump storage, and green hydrogen.
