The cement industry is one of the most hard-to-abate sectors, but Indian cement manufacturers have been aggressively reducing their carbon footprint by using renewable energy to power their operations.

Credit ratings agency ICRA had forecasted last year that green power would account for approximately 40-42% of the total power mix of major cement companies in India by March 2025, a significant increase from around 35% as of March 2023. It had said key cement industry players in India had set ambitious goals to reduce their emissions by 15-17% over the next 8-10 years by boosting the use of solar and wind energy, and waste heat recovery system capacities.

With an installed capacity of 46.9 million tons a year, Shree Cement is among the leading cement manufacturers in India. In line with sustainability commitments, the company has recently commissioned a 6 MW solar project at its Roorkee facility in Uttarakhand. This project was developed with a capital investment of approximately ₹160 million (~$1.86 million).

The solar project, adjacent to Shree Cement’s manufacturing facility, will help the company reduce its dependence on grid power and raise the Roorke plant’s solar capacity to 7 MW.

Shree Cement’s annual report 2024-25 states that its total solar capacity now stands at 293.5 MW and renewable energy capacity at 582 MW, a 21% rise from the previous year. This capacity includes wind energy and waste heat recovery systems.

Green electricity now accounts for 56.09% of the company’s total power consumption, up slightly from 55.89% in the financial year (FY) 2024.

Shree Cement has committed to the global RE100 initiative, pledging to source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. The company has decided to halt the development of new thermal projects and instead focus on expanding its renewable energy capacity.

To further scale its share of green energy, the company has initiated renewable energy projects at various locations, which are currently under implementation or in the pre-project phase.

Driven by rising awareness, volatile energy prices, and a growing emphasis on energy independence, the adoption of clean energy is gaining strong momentum. Industries with high emissions and significant power consumption are increasingly turning to clean energy.

Mercom India has been hosting a series of C&I Clean Energy Meets designed to equip C&I energy buyers with the knowledge and tools necessary to adopt clean energy solutions and reduce their power expenses. The next event is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on August 22, 2025.