Maruti Suzuki India has commissioned a one megawatt-hour (1 MWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at its Kharkhoda manufacturing facility in Haryana, marking another step in the automaker's efforts to increase renewable energy utilisation and lower carbon emissions. The pilot project integrates battery storage into the plant's internal electricity distribution network, enabling surplus solar energy to be stored and used when required.
The facility already operates a 20 MWp solar power plant, installed in 2025. However, electricity generated during plant holidays and other low-demand periods could not previously be utilised. The newly commissioned BESS addresses this challenge by storing excess power for later consumption, while also contributing to greater grid stability.
Supporting Sustainability Goals
According to the company, the battery storage system has an expected operational life of around 15 years and is projected to reduce nearly 54 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The initiative forms part of Maruti Suzuki's broader strategy to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, both in terms of carbon intensity and absolute emissions, even as vehicle production increases.
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Maruti Suzuki India, said the commissioning of the BESS reflects the company's commitment to building a self-reliant energy ecosystem and enhancing the use of renewable energy across its manufacturing operations. He added that the initiative aligns with the company's long-term environmental objectives.
Future-Ready Manufacturing
The Kharkhoda facility is a key part of Maruti Suzuki's manufacturing expansion and sustainability roadmap. It has been designed as a smart factory that incorporates renewable energy, digital manufacturing technologies and environmentally responsible infrastructure. The company plans to scale up the plant's solar generation capacity from 20 MWp to 70 MWp by 2030 while continuing investments in green technologies, including biogas and battery storage.
The latest deployment highlights the growing role of battery energy storage systems in industrial manufacturing, allowing companies to maximise renewable energy usage, improve operational efficiency and reduce dependence on conventional power sources as India's automotive sector accelerates its transition towards more sustainable production. |
