Concrete

Solar energy is clean, renewable and emission-free

Published

3 years ago

November 20, 2023

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Raman Bhatia, Founder and Managing Director, Servotech Power Systems, talks about their solar power systems that are tailored for the energy-intensive cement manufacturing sector while highlighting the challenges of location suitability, intermittency, infrastructure limitations and cost barriers

Which amongst your products can provide energy to the cement manufacturing process?
In recent times, solar energy has undoubtedly emerged as a powerful and eco-friendly source of electricity making it suitable for various industrial applications. The cement production sector,
known for its high energy demands from carbon-emitting sources, stands as an ideal sector for our groundbreaking solar solutions to create a significant transformative impact.
Our highly compatible On-Grid Solar System is engineered to meet the power demands of the cement manufacturing plant by tapping into the abundant and clean resource of solar energy, ultimately leading to reduced energy costs. This not only promotes sustainable manufacturing practices but also enhances cost-effectiveness. By harnessing the abundant solar energy, we offer sustainable and adaptable solutions that are propelling the cement production energy towards a more sustainable future.

Cement production is an energy-intensive. Can solar energy support the process and make it sustainable?
Absolutely! Cement manufacturing indeed requires a significant amount of energy, which comes from carbon-emitting sources. However, by integrating Servotech’s on-grid solar system, the cement manufacturing process can be supported with clean and renewable energy. This sustainable energy source not only reduces the carbon footprint but also lowers operational costs, making the entire process more environmentally friendly and economically viable.

Tell us about your process of supplying energy to cement plants.
Our highly efficient On-Grid Solar System is designed to provide solar energy to cement manufacturing plants seamlessly. The process begins with the installation of solar panels, which capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. The energy generated is then fed into the plant’s electrical grid. This solar-generated electricity effectively powers various operations within the cement manufacturing process, reducing the plant’s reliance on conventional energy sources and lowering its electricity costs.
This transition to solar energy not only makes cement production more sustainable but also contributes to reduced operational expenses, ultimately benefitting the environment and making the entire process cost-efficient.

How is the impact of using solar power as an energy source compared to carbon-emitting energy sources?
The environmental benefits of solar power are profound. Unlike traditional energy sources that rely on fossil fuels, solar energy is clean, renewable and emission-free. When integrated into the energy supply for cement plants, solar power significantly minimises the use of fossil fuels, which are finite resources and major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
By reducing reliance on carbon-emitting energy sources, solar power contributes to a cleaner and healthier environment. This transition to cleaner energy not only mitigates climate change but also enhances air quality, thereby creating a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.

Which standards and compliances do you adhere to?
We place paramount importance on adhering to industry standards and regulatory compliance throughout the manufacturing and installation of our solar systems. During the manufacturing process, rigorous quality checks are conducted to ensure the efficiency, durability and optimal functioning of our products.
When it comes to the installation of our solar systems, we take meticulous care to ensure proper mounting and positioning, maximising their exposure to sunlight. Our manufacturing and installation procedures strictly adhere to the standards established by reputable organisations, including the National Electric Code, IEEE, BIS, ISO and IEC.
Furthermore, our solar products are MNRE-approved. By complying with these standards,
we ensure robust, sustainable, and safe solar power installations.

What are the major challenges that you face in the supply of renewable energy?
The supply of renewable energy faces several significant challenges. Finding a suitable location to facilitate installation is one of the major problems. Every area be it urban or rural comes with its own set of challenges, in this case, finding a location that supports smooth installation can get a little tricky.
Intermittency is a primary concern, as sources like wind and solar are weather-dependent, requiring energy storage solutions to ensure consistent availability. Infrastructural limitations of the grid hinder the efficient distribution of renewable energy from remote locations to urban areas. Additionally, the high
upfront costs of renewable technologies can deter investment. Regulatory and policy uncertainties also impact growth.
Finally, environmental concerns, such as land use and wildlife disruption, need careful consideration. Addressing these challenges requires advancements in energy storage, grid modernisation, supportive policies, and innovative solutions to ensure a reliable and sustainable renewable energy supply and Servotech is actively working towards surmounting these barriers, paving the way for a sustainable future powered by solar energy.

Kanika Mathur

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Concrete

Lokesh Lays Stone For Rs 31 Billion Cement Unit In Kadapa

Line-2 expansion to make Kadapa a major cement hub

Published

6 hours ago

July 20, 2026

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Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Line-2 expansion of Dalmia Bharat Cement at Chinnakomerla village in Mylavaram Mandal in Kadapa district. The project carries an investment of Rs 31 billion (bn) and is slated for completion by the third quarter of the financial year 2028. The expansion is intended to boost industrial growth and employment generation across the Rayalaseema region.

Once commissioned, the Kadapa facility will become Dalmia Bharat’s largest integrated cement manufacturing ecosystem in southern India, creating over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and opening new business avenues for regional micro, small and medium enterprises and transport operators. Lokesh said the expansion signalled growing corporate confidence in the state and reflected the practical ease of doing business that secured repeat investment.

He placed the project within the government’s wider economic targets and recalled the Yuvagalam padayatra commitment to generate two million (mn) jobs within five years, noting that the state would cultivate talent while industry created opportunities. Lokesh highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s competitive pursuit of major manufacturing accounts, mentioning past successes and a personal initiative to engage global investors when persuading them to anchor expansion in the state.

The plant will leverage Kadapa’s abundant limestone reserves to scale production and sustainability. Clinker capacity is planned to rise from two point five million tonnes per annum (mn tpa) to six point one mn tpa, while overall cement output will increase from three point six mn tpa to nine point six mn tpa. The unit is designed to operate on over eighty per cent renewable energy and deploy waste heat recovery, zero liquid discharge, water recycling and advanced AI systems to optimise efficiency. Industries Minister TG Bharat, BC Welfare Minister S. Savitha and Jammalamadugu MLA C. Adinarayana Reddy attended the ceremony.

Concrete

Cement Prices to Stay Flat in Q2 FY27 as Costs Squeeze Margins

HDFC Securities warns monsoon slowdown and higher fuel costs

Published

3 days ago

July 17, 2026

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HDFC Securities has said the cement industry is unlikely to register a sequential increase in prices in Q2 FY27 as monsoon-related demand moderation coincides with rising fuel and packaging costs that will squeeze margins. The brokerage observed that price gains remained modest, with increases of two to three per cent quarter-on-quarter across regions, and noted subdued offtake in May with improvement in June as a delayed monsoon supported construction activity. The brokerage added that modest pricing gains so far have been insufficient to offset the input cost escalation.

The report stated that input cost pressures intensified in Q1 FY27 owing to the West Asia conflict, which pushed up coal and pet coke prices and is expected to keep fuel costs elevated, with a likely peak in Q2 FY27. It assessed that total variable costs, including packing, could rise by around Rs 150 per t quarter-on-quarter and that lower offtake and seasonal operating deleverage could further raise operating expenditure by about Rs 50 per t quarter-on-quarter.

Overall, cement prices were estimated to remain flat in Q2 FY27 as monsoon-led demand weakness offsets limited upside in realisation, and rising fuel costs alongside seasonal deleverage were expected to compress industry margins by over Rs 100 per t quarter-on-quarter to below Rs 880 per t. The brokerage indicated that the combined impact of energy inflation and higher packing expenditure would be the principal drivers of margin contraction in the near term. HDFC Securities projected a recovery in margins in H2 FY27 should the West Asia turmoil subside and energy and packing costs cool off.

The brokerage expressed optimism on long-term demand fundamentals and said improving realisation together with an anticipated cost cool-off should support a margin rebound from H2 FY27 onward, underpinning favourable industry prospects over the medium term. Its outlook rests on monsoon normalisation and a decline in imported fuel prices in the second half of the fiscal year.

Concrete

Dalmia Bharat Begins Rs 31 Bn Green Cement Unit in Kadapa

New Andhra Pradesh plant to add 9.6 MTPA cement capacity by FY28

Published

4 days ago

July 16, 2026

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Dalmia Bharat Limited recently laid the foundation stone for its second manufacturing unit at Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh. The company will invest Rs 31 billion in developing the next-generation integrated cement manufacturing facility.

The foundation-laying ceremony was attended by Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Real-Time Governance and Human Resources Development, along with Puneet Dalmia, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dalmia Bharat, senior government officials and company representatives.

Scheduled to be commissioned by the third quarter of FY28, the Kadapa unit will become Dalmia Bharat’s largest integrated manufacturing facility in southern India. It will have a clinker production capacity of 6.1 million tonnes per annum and a cement manufacturing capacity of 9.6 million tonnes per annum.

The facility is designed to produce what the company describes as one of the world’s greenest cements. It is also expected to generate approximately 1,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities while supporting local MSMEs, transporters, contractors and service providers.

Lokesh said the investment reflected Dalmia Bharat’s confidence in Andhra Pradesh and aligned with the state’s objective of promoting sustainable industrialisation, job creation and technology-led economic growth.

Puneet Dalmia said the project represented the company’s long-term vision of developing low-carbon cement manufacturing assets. He added that the facility would establish new benchmarks in operational efficiency and sustainability while supporting India’s infrastructure and environmental goals.

Dalmia Bharat will also expand its regional community development programmes in education, healthcare, skill development and welfare through its DIKSHa and Gram Parivartan initiatives.

The company currently has an installed cement manufacturing capacity of 54.7 million tonnes across 19 manufacturing units in 12 states. It is also the first cement company globally to commit to the RE100, EP100 and EV100 initiatives.