Economy & Market

Reliability and resilience are central to our approach

Published

1 year ago

May 13, 2025

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Radhika Choudary, Co-Founder and Director, Freyr Energy, discusses how solar energy and green cement are building blocks for a sustainable construction revolution.

As the construction industry accelerates toward decarbonisation, two powerful solutions—green cement and solar energy—are converging to reshape the sector’s future. Freyr Energy is at the forefront of this transition, working closely with cement manufacturers to cut emissions and boost sustainability. In this insightful interview, Radhika Choudary, Co-Founder and Director, shares how rooftop solar can drastically lower carbon footprints and improve operational resilience in heavy industry. From on-ground challenges to policy advocacy, they highlight the practical and scalable ways solar supports green construction. Read on to explore the critical role of solar power in driving low-carbon infrastructure.

How do you see the role of solar power and green cement in sustainable construction?
At Freyr Energy, we see the intersection of solar energy and green cement as a pivotal force in redefining sustainable construction. Green cement directly addresses embodied carbon emissions inherent to traditional building materials, while solar energy provides a clean, renewable alternative to fossil fuel-derived power. By integrating solar energy into the production and operational stages, we are not only reducing emissions but also reinforcing the overall lifecycle sustainability of construction projects. Through our real-world projects with major cement manufacturers, we have observed firsthand how solar adoption can accelerate environmental goals while enhancing operational resilience. This synergy between green building materials and renewable energy is essential for a truly low-carbon built environment.

Can rooftop solar solutions reduce the carbon footprint of cement plant?
Absolutely. Cement manufacturing is notably energy-intensive, with a large share of its emissions attributed to electricity consumption from conventional grids. Rooftop solar installations provide an immediate opportunity to offset a considerable portion of this demand, particularly during peak daylight hours. For example, at Shree Cement, our rooftop solar project has enabled the reduction of over 20,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in just six years. Beyond emissions reduction, these systems offer long-term financial savings and contribute to the cement sector’s broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments. As energy prices fluctuate globally, adopting solar also provides manufacturers with greater energy security and cost predictability.

How can solar-powered plants contribute to the lifecycle sustainability of green cement?
Solar-powered plants amplify the environmental benefits of green cement by ensuring that its production processes—from raw material handling to kiln operations—are powered by clean energy. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions across every stage of the cement’s lifecycle. In addition, leveraging solar energy aligns with emerging green building certifications and sustainability frameworks, making the final product more attractive to eco-conscious developers and construction companies. By adopting solar energy holistically, cement manufacturers not only meet regulatory standards but also position themselves as industry leaders in climate-resilient infrastructure.

What incentives or policies could accelerate solar adoption in the cement sector?
A robust policy framework is vital for scaling solar adoption in heavy industries. Incentives such as accelerated depreciation, tax rebates and performance-based subsidies can significantly improve project viability. Furthermore, green financing options with preferential terms can ease the capital burden often associated with renewable energy projects. On the regulatory front, introducing embodied carbon benchmarks for construction materials could drive demand for greener production methods, indirectly encouraging solar adoption. Streamlining grid connectivity for industries generating their own renewable energy is another crucial enabler. At Freyr Energy, we advocate for these measures to ensure a faster, more widespread transition towards sustainable industrial practices.

What are the major challenges in implementing solar infrastructure?
Deploying solar solutions in heavy industries like cement manufacturing is not without challenges. Dust, extreme temperatures and space limitations can affect the efficiency and longevity of solar systems. Cement plants, especially older facilities, often require significant retrofitting to accommodate rooftop solar arrays. Moreover, the energy demands of such plants are continuous and intensive, necessitating highly reliable and intelligently managed solar solutions. Addressing these challenges requires selecting robust technologies, customised designs, and predictive maintenance strategies. At Freyr Energy, we prioritise these factors to deliver solar systems that not only perform but endure under industrial conditions.

How do you ensure reliability and performance in heavy industries?
Reliability and resilience are central to our approach. We deploy high-efficiency, industrial-grade solar panels combined with heavy-duty mounting structures engineered for challenging environments. Our projects are further supported by smart energy management systems that seamlessly integrate solar generation with existing power infrastructure. Proactive maintenance, real-time remote monitoring and predictive analytics enable us to maximise uptime and energy yield. By customising solutions to each plant’s operational profile and environmental conditions, Freyr Energy ensures that our clients achieve tangible and sustained benefits from their solar investments.

How do you see the synergy between renewable energy and green cement evolving over the next decade?
The next decade will witness a deepening integration of renewable energy into the green cement value chain. As industries commit to achieving net-zero targets, solar power will become indispensable, not just for environmental compliance but for business competitiveness. We foresee green cement, powered by renewables, transitioning from an alternative choice to a mainstream standard. This shift will be driven by policy pressures, investor expectations, and growing market demand for sustainable construction. Freyr Energy is excited to play a central role in this transformation—helping cement manufacturers harness solar power to build greener cities, create climate-resilient communities and secure a sustainable future.

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Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

1 week ago

October 9, 2026

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Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing.

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities.

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations.

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events.

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders.

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem.

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

Published

1 week ago

October 8, 2026

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With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA,
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”

Concrete

UltraTech becomes first Indian cement firm to cross 2 GW green energy

Published

2 weeks ago

October 7, 2026

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UltraTech Cement has crossed 2 GW of captive green energy capacity, with renewables and waste heat recovery meeting 48 per cent of its power needs.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited has surpassed 2 GW of installed green energy capacity for captive use, becoming the first cement company in India to achieve the milestone. The Aditya Birla Group company commissioned 116.55 MW of wind capacity at its Inter-State Transmission System-connected wind-solar hybrid project in Barmer, Rajasthan, along with 10 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity at Sarlanagar Cement Works in Karnataka.

With these additions, UltraTech’s cumulative installed green energy capacity has reached 2,024 MW. This includes 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, together meeting around 48 per cent of the company’s current power requirements.

The company said the milestone reflects the progress of its long-term energy transition strategy. In FY27 so far, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements, while five units have crossed 95 per cent.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “Crossing the 2 GW green energy milestone is the result of a strategy we have pursued consistently over the past decade. Cement is an energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sector, and showing that reliability and growth can go hand in hand with a rapid shift to green energy sets a benchmark for the industry. With nearly half of our power needs now met through green energy, we are significantly less exposed to fossil fuel supply constraints and power price volatility. As we scale up renewables, waste heat recovery and battery storage across our operations, we are building an energy foundation for stable, long-term growth.”

UltraTech commissioned 430 MW of green energy capacity in FY26 and continues to expand its renewable energy and waste heat recovery portfolio.

The company is also progressively integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems across its operations to improve renewable energy utilisation and supply reliability.

In 2025, UltraTech operationalised what it described as India’s first on-site hybrid round-the-clock renewable energy project at Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The project combines solar, wind and battery storage.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech said it has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for either greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

The company said its expanding green energy portfolio is helping reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuel-based power, while lowering exposure to fluctuations in coal and electricity prices.

UltraTech aims to increase green energy’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030. As a member of RE100, it has also committed to meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050.

UltraTech Cement, the cement flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement and putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. The company is also a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the GCCA Net Zero Concrete roadmap.