TOWARDS A CLEANER POWER MIX

The company is working on emission cuts, water management, and biodiversity goals

- NEETU CHANDRA SHARMA

JSW ENERGY IS transitioning from a thermal-focused model to a portfolio with a greater focus on renewable energy, aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, two decades ahead of India's national target.

“We are strongly committed to climate change mitigation, and that has been the guiding vision behind maximising our generation capacity from renewable energy installations,” says Prabodha Acharya, Chief Sustainability Officer, of JSW Group. The company has won the Business Today Sustainability Leadership Award in the manufacturing category for power generation. It also won the transition leader of the year award.

The firm’s recent expansion in wind, solar, and hydro projects — along with operational efficiencies in existing thermal assets — is beginning to reflect in its emissions profile. “These efforts have contributed to a 9% reduction in emissions,” says Acharya.

JSW Energy’s thermal power plants have undergone upgrades to improve environmental performance. The result is improved plant efficiency and cleaner air. Water conservation is another priority. Ash, one of the main waste outputs, is being managed through several interventions. “We've adopted low-NOx burners to improve combustion efficiency, which helps reduce ash generation.