Cement Giant Leads Renewable Integration

UltraTech Cement Limited has commissioned a pioneering 7.5 MW round-the-clock (RTC) hybrid renewable energy project at its Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. Designed to operate independently of grid power, the project integrates bifacial solar modules with trackers, wind energy, and battery storage on a single industrial site.

Installed as a behind-the-meter system, the initiative is the first of its kind in India’s industrial power landscape. By combining generation and storage technologies, the project provides uninterrupted clean energy to support one of the country’s most energy-intensive manufacturing processes—cement production.

UltraTech partnered with clean energy solutions company Gentari to deliver the project, which marks a significant advancement in how industries can approach both decarbonisation and energy resilience.

Why RTC Matters for Heavy Industry

The innovation lies not only in the deployment of multiple renewable sources but also in the way these technologies are integrated into the manufacturing process. For industries with heavy and continuous energy demands, interruptions in supply can carry substantial costs.

By blending solar, wind, and battery systems, UltraTech has demonstrated the feasibility of 24/7 renewable energy at an industrial scale.

“What advanced system integration can achieve in terms of emissions reduction and energy cost optimisation at scale.”

By eliminating reliance on grid-based electricity—often still powered by fossil fuels—the system offers a blueprint for other heavy industries seeking to decarbonise operations without sacrificing reliability.

UltraTech’s Net Zero Roadmap

UltraTech has positioned green energy as central to its climate strategy. Earlier this year, the company became one of the first in India’s industrial category to commission 1 GW of renewable energy capacity for captive use.

Its roadmap includes:

• 65% green energy share by 2027
• 85% green energy share by 2030
• 100% renewable electricity by 2050 (RE100 commitment)

The cement producer is also a signatory to the Global Cement and Concrete Association’s Climate Ambition 2050 and has aligned with the Net Zero Concrete Roadmap.

Cement’s Carbon Challenge

Cement accounts for an estimated 7–8% of global carbon emissions. Decarbonising the sector requires addressing both process-related emissions and energy use. UltraTech’s hybrid RTC system shows how new models of energy supply can chip away at this challenge while ensuring continuous production.

A Global Trend in Hybrid Renewables

Hybrid renewable projects are attracting increasing interest worldwide as industries grapple with energy volatility and carbon reduction targets.

• Europe: Policy incentives are encouraging large-scale storage alongside solar and wind.
• United States: The Inflation Reduction Act is fuelling new investment into integrated clean energy systems.
• India: With energy demand soaring, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has targeted 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.

Against this backdrop, UltraTech’s project positions India at the forefront of industrial innovation, demonstrating how private players can help drive national targets.

Industry Perspectives

Experts note that projects such as UltraTech’s highlight the growing role of customer-led design. Rather than depending solely on grid-level interventions, businesses are increasingly exploring customised energy solutions that combine resilience, cost efficiency, and emissions reductions.

For sustainability professionals, the project underscores four clear trends shaping industry:

• System Integration at Scale – Pairing generation with storage is essential for RTC power.
• Decentralised Energy – On-site solutions reduce grid dependency and bolster resilience.
• Climate Leadership – Companies are moving from pledges to measurable, high-impact projects.
• Replication Potential – The model could extend to steel, aluminium, and chemical industries.

Looking Forward

UltraTech’s 7.5 MW Sewagram project is modest in scale compared to its overall power needs, yet its symbolic weight is substantial. The cement industry has often been viewed as one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. This project demonstrates that with the right system integration, even the most energy-intensive industries can explore practical, commercially viable renewable solutions.

For Sustainable Business Magazine readers, the message is clear: innovation in renewable integration is no longer a future ambition but a present-day reality shaping industrial strategy.