The company initiated a mission to reduce water consumption without compromising the efficiency of solar power plants, thereby addressing the water footprint of the sector
Mahindra Susten, a leading renewable Independent Power Producer with in-house expertise in engineering, procurement, and construction, has been awarded the ‘Water Positive Verification’ certificate for its 100 percent operating portfolio for the assessment year FY23.
The accreditation, granted by certification authority TUV India (TÜV NORD GROUP), recognises Susten's commitment towards planet-positive initiatives and water resource conservation. This recognition comes after a thorough audit of all project locations in five states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
As per TUV India’s evaluation, Susten’s +1.5 GW renewable energy portfolio commands a score of 15 (positive) on the Water Footprint Index, implying that water recharged is 15 times more than what was consumed. Speaking about the achievement, Deepak Thakur, MD & CEO, Mahindra Susten, said, “Mahindra Group aims to be planet-positive by 2040.
Mahindra Susten is making steady progress in steering the group towards this shared goal. While the solar sector is critical for meeting the world's renewable energy needs, it has traditionally been water-intensive, which goes against sustainability norms.
The company adopted a three-step approach to improve its standing on the water footprint index:
1. Reduction of water consumption: by using high-quality water spray pumps, water piping systems, and innovative module cleaning brushes.
2. Elimination of water for module cleaning: Eliminated water for module cleaning by investing in advanced technology, such as dry-cleaning robots. Currently, 63 percent of our portfolio uses these robots, resulting in the annual conservation of almost 67 million litres of water—equivalent to fulfilling the basic water needs of 50,000 people throughout the year.
3. Water Conservation: Implemented sustainable practices, including groundwater recharge systems with artificial recharge ponds and rainwater harvesting recharge pits.