Beyond Green Energy: UltraTech’s efforts towards building a resilient energy ecosystem

On World Energy Day, UltraTech Cement Limited, the world's largest cement company excluding China, reaffirms its commitment to building a resilient, low-carbon energy ecosystem across its operations. Having become the first cement company in India to surpass 2 Gigawatts (GW) of captive green energy capacity, UltraTech is now extending this transition across its manufacturing units.

Beyond just expanding renewable energy, the Company is integrating waste heat recovery, battery energy storage, digital technologies and energy-efficiency initiatives to ensure reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy supply for cement production at scale.

Building a diversified and resilient energy portfolio

Green energy is central to UltraTech’s energy transition strategy. The Company continues to expand its solar, wind and hybrid energy projects, while scaling Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS) that convert heat generated during cement production into electricity.

UltraTech's green energy capacity currently stands at 2,024 MW, comprising 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of WHRS capacity, meeting about 48% of the Company's current power requirements. Nearly a third of the Company’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50% of their electricity requirement so far in FY27, while five of these units have exceeded 95% utilisation. Notably, UltraTech’s integrated cement manufacturing unit, Kukurdih Cement Works located in Chhattisgarh, has met 100% of its electricity requirement through green energy every month since April 2026. UltraTech aims to increase the share of green energy in its total power mix to 85% by 2030 and 100% by 2050 under its RE100 commitment.

This expansion is creating a more diversified and resilient energy portfolio. By reducing its reliance on grid power and fossil fuel-based sources across its locations, UltraTech is lowering its exposure to fuel supply constraints and to volatility in coal and electricity prices, while advancing its decarbonisation goals.

The Company is also leveraging its Inter-State Transmission System-connected (ISTS) RE projects to expand the reach and utilisation of renewable energy across its manufacturing network. UltraTech recently commissioned an ISTS-connected RE project in Barmer, Rajasthan, designed with both wind and solar capacity. So far, 116.5 MW of wind capacity has been commissioned at this project.

The ISTS framework enables renewable power generated in resource-rich locations to be supplied across state boundaries and allocated among multiple UltraTech manufacturing units, allowing the Company to aggregate demand and optimise renewable energy utilisation at an enterprise level. The broader ISTS power-management framework at UltraTech enables to currently manage renewable power allocation across 16 manufacturing units of the Company across 10 states, creating a geographically diversified platform for renewable energy utilisation.

As renewable energy contributes an increasing share in the Company’s power mix, ensuring consistent power supply becomes increasingly important. UltraTech is progressively deploying Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across its operations to help manage variations in renewable power generation, strengthen supply reliability, and enable greater use of green energy into manufacturing operations.

Leveraging digital technologies and process optimisation

While green energy and battery storage strengthen energy supply, digital technologies are helping optimise how that energy is used. Advanced monitoring systems, process analytics and data-driven decision-making tools give manufacturing teams real-time visibility into energy consumption patterns, helping them identify energy efficiency opportunities and maximise the value of investments in renewable energy, WHRS and battery storage.

Alongside expanding green energy infrastructure, the Company continues to lower its overall energy demand through process optimisation and equipment upgrades, including cooler optimisation, turbine performance improvements and advanced fan technologies. Additionally, innovations such as the use of carbon fibre blades deliver significant power savings over conventional alternatives, supporting both efficiency and uninterrupted production.

In September 2026, 11 of UltraTech’s units were recognised at the 27th CII National Award for Excellence in Energy Management, 2026, in Hyderabad. Six units – Baga Cement Works, Pali Cement Works, Ranipet Cement Works, Hotgi Cement Works, Sikandrabad Cement Works and Ratnagiri Cement Works - were recognised as Excellent Energy Efficient Units, while five - Dhar Cement Works, Kotputli Cement Works, Balaji Cement Works, Rajashree Cement Works and Patliputra Cement Works - were recognised as Energy Efficient Units.

As UltraTech expands its production capacity, building a reliable energy ecosystem remains central to its long-term growth strategy. By combining renewable energy, waste heat recovery, battery storage, digital energy management and efficiency initiatives, the Company is strengthening energy security across its operations while advancing its energy transition journey.