Displaying items by tag: renewable energy

Egypt: Misr Beni Suef Cement has signed a contract worth nearly US$6m with solar energy supplier IRSC, in cooperation with JINKO and HUAWEI, to establish a solar power plant at its site in Beni Suef Governorate.

The project aims to increase the company’s use of clean energy and reduce the environmental impact of its industrial operations. The capacity of the facility has not been disclosed.

India: Sagar Cements has announced the commencement of operations of its 6MW solar power plant, located at its cement plant in Gudipadu village, Ananthapur District, Andhra Pradesh. The plant is part of the company's broader strategy to integrate renewable energy into its operations, according to Business Upturn.

India: Ramco Cements has commissioned an additional 2MW waste heat recovery turbine at its Alathiyur cement plant, doubling the facility's waste heat power capacity to 4MW. The company's total waste heat power capacity has now increased to 45.15MW, as stated in a regulatory filing. According to its Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report 2024, Ramco Cements aims to meet about 45% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030. According to Energetica India, the company has also reduced its reliance on fossil fuels by using wind energy and rooftop solar panels.

Egypt: In a move to reinforce its commitment to environmental sustainability and the transition to renewable energy, Misr Cement Group has signed a groundbreaking partnership with Solarize Egypt to develop a 40MW photovoltaic solar power project, based on an Independent Power Producer (IPP) model.

The project, one of the largest initiatives in Egypt’s industrial sector, will involve a total investment of US$29m. The two solar plants will generate 48 million kWh per year for each of the company’s plants in Minya and Qena governorates. This will reduce dependence on traditional energy sources, decrease the company’s CO2 emissions, and enhance the group’s operational sustainability.

This collaboration highlights the mutual commitment of both parties to support Egypt’s Vision 2030 by adopting clean energy solutions and reducing the environmental impact of heavy industries, in line with the national goal to increase reliance on renewable energy sources and achieve sustainable development.

India: Ambuja Cements, an Adani Group company, has commissioned and started power transmission from its 200MW solar power project at Khavda, Gujarat. The remaining 806MW capacity from the country-wide project is at various stages of commissioning. 156 MW of wind power from Khavda and a further 300MW solar power plant in Rajasthan are expected to be commissioned in phases by March 2025. The remaining 350MW of solar power is expected to be commissioned by June 2025.

Ajay Kapur, Adani Group CEO - Cement Business, said the company is committed to achieve net zero emission by 2050, adding "We aim to power 60% of our total energy consumption from green power sources by the 2028 fiscal year.”

Thailand: At COP29 in Azerbaijan, the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association, in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change and Environment, the Global Cement and Concrete Association and United Nations Industrial Development, showcased the achievements of the ‘Saraburi Sandbox’ project. Notable successes include more than 80% of construction projects in Saraburi now using hydraulic cement, the cement industry increasing its use of alternative fuels and renewable energy to 26%, and a pilot project for growing crops like Napier grass for use as alternative fuels in cement production. These developments are key to implementing the Thailand 2050 Net Zero Cement and Concrete roadmap.

Portugal: Cimpor recently celebrated the 50^th anniversary of its Souselas plant, which has been operational since November 1974. The plant was initially launched with a production capacity of 500,000t/yr of clinker, but has since adapted to meet market demand.

Throughout its five decades of operation, the Souselas plant has produced over 69Mt of clinker and processed approximately 667,000t of alternative fuels. Current projects include the rehabilitation of Line 2 for producing calcined clays, installing photovoltaic plants and focusing on co-processing and heat recovery initiatives, with the aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The anniversary event showcased recent projects, such as the installation of a 1MW photovoltaic plant and the planned introduction of a 10MW plant by 2025. Additionally, a 7.4MW waste heat recovery system will commence operation in February 2025 and a 10MW hydrogen plant is scheduled for 2026.

Vietnam: Thailand-based Siam Cement Group (SCG) says it is expanding the production of its SCG Low Carbon cement product in southern Vietnam. It plans to export up to 8000t/day of the product to the US, Canada, and Australia, as well as supplying local green-procurement projects, according to the Vietnam Business Forum. The company says its low-carbon cement reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 20%, compared to regular products, through the use of alternative fuels, renewable energy sources and installing waste heat recovery (WHR) units at its plants. SCG formally launched SCG Low Carbon Super Cement in the country in July 2024.

Azerbaijan: Cemex has won the Net-Zero Industries Award for its clinker decarbonisation process using concentrated solar power. The award was presented at COP29 in Baku. Cemex’s solar clinker project is a collaboration with cleantech company Synhelion, which developed the high-temperature solar heat technology it uses. Cemex and Synhelion partnered in 2019 and achieved the first successful production of solar clinker in 2022.

Davide Zampini, vice president of Global R&D at Cemex, said "Together with Synhelion, we are pioneering solar-powered clinker production, a breakthrough process that can contribute to decarbonising cement manufacturing."

Saudi Arabia: Al Jouf Cement Company has signed a power purchase agreement with ENGIE to develop a 22MW solar photovoltaic plant at Al Jouf Cement’s facility in Turaif, Northern Borders Province. The plant will provide on-site power generation and help to decarbonise Al Jouf Cement's operations over the project’s 25-year lifespan. The solar photovoltaic installation will span over 420,000m² and is expected to reduce the plant’s carbon footprint. ENGIE will handle the development, design, construction, ownership and operation of the solar plant.