Maruti Suzuki has installed a 1 MWh battery energy storage system at its Kharkhoda, Haryana plant to capture surplus solar power. This initiative helps the company store unused energy from its 20 MWp solar project for later use. It aims to improve energy efficiency and support the company's long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions in line with its global sustainability targets.
Maruti Suzuki India Limited has taken a new step in its energy management strategy by commissioning a 1 MWh battery energy storage system at its manufacturing unit in Kharkhoda, Haryana. The facility, which is a key part of the company's production expansion, already houses a 20 MWp solar power plant that was installed in 2025. The battery system is designed to store electricity produced during periods of low factory activity, such as holidays, which was previously left unutilized.
Balancing Solar Generation and Energy Needs
Integrating battery storage allows the Kharkhoda plant to manage its renewable energy output more effectively. By capturing excess power during peak solar generation hours and releasing it when the plant is operational, the company can rely less on traditional grid power. This move improves energy efficiency and contributes to stable power supply within the manufacturing complex. The system is expected to remain in service for approximately 15 years, during which it will assist in lowering the plant's operational carbon footprint by an estimated 54 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Alignment with Sustainability Targets
This installation is part of a broader environmental strategy for the company as it scales up production. Maruti Suzuki is working toward goals set by its parent entity, Suzuki Motor Corporation, which aims to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions by 42% by the financial year 2030-31, using 2022-23 levels as a baseline. Scope 1 emissions refer to direct pollution from factory operations, while Scope 2 relates to the energy purchased by the company to run its facilities. As the company continues to increase its manufacturing capacity, managing the energy intensity of these new plants remains a focus for its long-term operational costs and environmental compliance.
Future Monitorables for Investors
For investors, the key monitorable will be how the company scales this energy management technology across its other manufacturing locations. While the reduction of 54 tonnes of CO2 is a small step in the context of a large-scale automotive manufacturer, the successful integration of battery storage technology could provide a blueprint for reducing power costs and improving energy reliability at other facilities. Investors may also track management commentary on whether such projects lead to tangible savings in electricity costs or if they primarily serve as a commitment toward meeting global ESG requirements. The ability to maintain production growth while meeting these emission targets remains a long-term goal for the company's management.