Displaying items by tag: Renewable energy

Canada: Lafarge Canada has engaged Canadian Utilities on a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) basis to supply solar energy for its Exshaw cement plant in Alberta. Under the agreement, the Exshaw cement plant will receive 100% of energy generated at the 38.5MW Empress solar power plant in Cypress County. The VPPA lasts until 2036, and covers 34% of the Exshaw plant’s energy consumption up to that time.

Lafarge Canada (West) president and CEO Brad Kohl said "We're continually assessing ways we can reduce our environmental impact while actively pursuing sustainable solutions within our operations." He concluded "Our collaboration with Atco underscores our commitment to adopting renewable energy at our plants and sites, which is key to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels."

Poland: Górażdże Cement has announced an investment of Euro261m in planned sustainability upgrades to its Górażdże cement plant in Opole Voivodeship, the Polish News Bulletin newspaper has reported. The Heidelberg Materials subsidiary plans to build a carbon capture installation, a green energy source and a facility to recycle construction and demolition waste for use in its cement production.

Honduras: Cementos Argos Honduras has commissioned a 1.6GWh/yr solar power plant at its Choloma grinding plant in Río Blanquito. Grupo Argos’ energy subsidiary Celsia built the plant, which consists of 2160 photovoltaic modules. The La República newspaper has reported that the installation cost US$1.2m. It will supply 25% of the Choloma grinding plant’s energy consumption, and reduce its total CO₂ emissions by 23%.

Cementos Argos Honduras CEO Luis Eduardo Tovar said "This partnership marks a significant milestone in our efforts to address climate change and revitalise our ecosystems, while generating significant impact in communities with new employment and investment opportunities.”

India: JK Lakshmi Cement has concluded a deal to acquire a 21% stake in solar power plant engineering company Amplus Helios. Amplus Helios was founded as a special purpose vehicle for the construction of a 50MW captive solar power plant at JK Lakshmi Cement’s 1.7Mt/yr Durg cement plant in Chhattisgarh. The Free Press Journal has reported that the solar power plant will cost US$26m.

Pakistan: The board of directors of Lucky Cement has approved US$37.1m-worth of investments in the construction of renewable energy infrastructure at the company’s Karachi and Pezu cement plants. The producer plans to build a 6.3MW solar power plant and a 28.8MW wind power plant at the Karachi plant in Sindh and a 2.5MW solar power plant at the Pezu plant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan Company News has reported that the board also empowered Lucky Cement to evaluate its participation in the equity of its diversified industrial manufacturing subsidiary, Lucky Core Ventures.

US: Heat Battery developer Rondo Energy has concluded a financing round with US$60m raised in investments, Renewables Now News has reported. Investors included Siam Cement Group and Titan Cement Group, as well as Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, the Climate Innovation Fund, Rio Tinto, SABIC, Aramco Ventures, SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust and John Doerr. Rondo Energy’s Heat Battery is a means of connecting cement plants and other industrial facilities to a constant supply of electricity ultimately derived from renewable energy sources.

CEO John O'Donnell said “Our Strategic Investor Advisory Board will help Rondo focus on the simplest, fastest ways to power their operations with low-cost clean energy and shape our priorities for ongoing research and development.”

Sweden: CemVision has reported the successful conclusion of a large-scale production pilot of its ultra low carbon alternative clinker. CemVision produces the clinker using up to 100% recycled industrial secondary materials from the steel and mining sectors. CemVision says that its production process heats the raw materials using renewable electricity, and without the use of fossil fuels. The alternative clinker offers CO₂ reductions of up to 100% compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) clinker. CemVision has opened an invitation to possible collaborators to help scale up production, with a target of hundreds of thousands of tonnes per year.

Chief technical officer Claes Kollberg said "We are a climate-first company, making high performance cement. With our competence and experience, it is our duty to produce the most environmentally friendly cement for each application."

India: UltraTech Cement has concluded an agreement to buy a 26% stake in renewable power provider VEH Radiant Energy. UltraTech Cement says that VEH Radiant Energy will help it to increase its reliance on renewable power in its operations.

Peru: Grupo Gloria subsidiary Cemento Yura plans to transition its Yura cement plant from using coal to alternative fuels (AF) in its cement production. Additionally, the producer will build a 30MW solar power plant at the site. The Gestión newspaper has reported the total value of the upgrades as US$50m. Both projects are scheduled for commissioning in mid-2025.

In the 2023 financial year, which ended on 30 June 2023, Peruvian cement despatches fell by 8% to 12.6Mt.

India: CK Birla Group subsidiary Orient Cement has concluded a share subscription and shareholders' agreement with Cleantech India to acquire a 29% stake in Ardeur Renewables for US$1.16m. Ardeur Renewables is building a 16MW solar power plant at Orient Cement’s Chittapur cement plant in Karnataka and a 5.5 MW solar power plant at Orient Cement’s Jalgaon cement plant in Maharashtra. The cement producer says that the acquisition will help it to further increase its renewables usage and optimise its energy costs.