India's Aluminium producing units to invest US$ 5 Billion to build 20GW renewable energy capacity by 2030

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- BY KUNAL BOSE

India, the world's second largest aluminium maker with production in 2024 rising marginally to 4.2m tonnes from 4.16m tonnes in the previous year, is already a big producer of hydropower with large new capacity periodically getting commissioned. But for logistical reasons that renewable energy is not available to Indian smelters. Thankfully, all the four aluminium groups in the country - Vedanta, Hindalco, Nalco and Balco continue to make large investments in wind and solar energy to be able to make low-carbon metal. The industry is to invest up to $5bn to build renewable energy capacity of up to 20 GW by 2030.

Vedanta Aluminium, the largest in Indian industry, is aiming to raise the share of renewables in total energy use from the present around 5% to 30% by 2030. The industry, as a whole, is actively engaged in exploring the possibility of using hydrogen in alumina refineries. Like in so many other areas, the Chinese industry is stealing a march in this pursuit too by making a commitment to use 30% renewable energy in aluminium smelting by 2027. Government pressure and industry self-realisation apart, the growing demand for low-carbon or green aluminium, not necessarily confined to developed countries is seeing more and more producers working to reduce their carbon footprint.