Harshavardhana Gourineni, Executive Director, Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd, in an interview shares how through its products and operations the company is helping reduce carbon footprints and meet SDGs. Excerpts:
What is the outlook for the acid battery sector in India and its expanding role in the economy?
Lead batteries have typically been used in applications that are stationary like telecom, UPS, data centre, energy storage, both in home and industry, and in automotive sector for both passenger and commercial vehicles & two-wheelers.
We have robust plans to capitalize on many opportunities, expand our product portfolio especially in the automotive sector across industrial, commercial and consumer applications as we are seeing the hybridization of vehicles. Higher safety and critical functions are all battery-powered like collision avoidance systems, power steering, braking, door locks, and other features in the automotive sector. Vibrant sectors such as tractors, e-rickshaws, and Home UPS are picking pace.
Acid battery sector is a century-old established technology which is consistently improving. It is very circular in nature because of usage of lead which can be recycled infinitely.
Last year your company changed its name to reflect broader focus. How is this reflected in your product range?
Our recent name changes to Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd reflects a two-year strategic shift. We’re expanding beyond lead-acid batteries to encompass the broader energy and mobility ecosystem, aligning with the industry’s demand for a greener, renewable, and sustainable future. This is evident in our product range, which now includes lithium packs for two- and three-wheelers, with plans to enter the four-wheeler market and develop charging solutions. We’re also venturing into battery management systems, energy storage solutions, the automotive aftermarket, and are aggressively pursuing these goals.
How is your new manufacturing unit progressing?
We are establishing a 16-gigawatt hour (GWh) lithium cell manufacturing unit in Telangana. This phased approach will begin with a 2 GWh capacity, scaling up in the next 5-7 years to cater to the growing EV segments.
How are you helping in reducing carbon footprint and better utilisation of resources?
Decarbonization is a two-pronged approach for us. We offer EV-friendly products and energy storage solutions, while simultaneously improving our processes. Our 60MWh captive solar power generation and energy efficiency projects has lead to reduction of Scope 1 & 2 carbon intensity by 23 percent. We are committed to net zero, inline with SBTi, and plan to reduce our absolute Scope 1&2 emissions by 30 percent in 2027.
We have planted 150,000 trees, optimised logistics for Scope 3 reductions, and engaged with suppliers to reduce value chain emissions.
Our units don’t fall in water-stress areas. We’ve achieved a 20 percent water usage reduction and have a zero liquid discharge system across units. We have rainwater harvesting facilities with yields over 75,000 KL helping us towards the water neutrality goal. We’ve constructed 23 check dams and restored 6 water bodies.
Around 80 percent of lead used comes from recycled sources & we are setting up 1.5 Lac TPA state-of-the-art smelter for lead recycling.