Energy Efficiency and the Transition to Renewable Energy

As we commemorate World Energy Saving Day, it’s essential to reflect on the pivotal role energy plays in shaping our world. The increasing strain on natural resources has made energy efficiency and the transition to renewable energy sources more urgent than ever. At Apollo Tyres, we are firmly committed to addressing these challenges by setting an ambitious target to ensure that 30% of our total power requirements are comprised of renewable sources by FY26.?

Reducing and Conserving Energy Consumption

In FY24, we have made significant strides in reducing energy consumption across our global operations. Through process redesign, retrofitting of equipment, and investment in energy-efficient technologies, we were able to save 1,18,142 GJ of energy. The concerted effort reduced 16,200 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Our energy-saving initiatives focus on three critical areas: distribution networks, generation and distribution efficiency. By automating our systems, improving utility generation efficiency, and implementing real-time digital monitoring systems like SCADA, we ensure that we are constantly working towards improving our energy usage.

The ISO 50001:2018 certification that we’ve achieved for our plants in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Kerala, and the Netherlands reflects the rigorous energy management systems we have in place.

The Transition to Renewable Energy

While energy efficiency is crucial, it is only one part of the solution. The future of energy lies in renewable sources, and at Apollo Tyres, we are already taking significant steps to transition from fossil fuels to more sustainable alternatives.

We have already made meaningful progress in this area. In FY24, the share of renewables in our total electricity consumption increased to 22.7%, up from 14.3% in the previous year. This was achieved through our investments in solar, wind, and hybrid energy sources across multiple facilities. Solar energy, in particular, has been a focal point, contributing significantly to our renewable energy mix.

Meanwhile, we have successfully utilised 100% biomass energy at our plant in Andhra Pradesh. With the success of implementing it in the plant, we are working on expanding the use of biomass to other plants. Biomass represents a reliable and renewable alternative to fossil fuels, and by integrating it into our energy strategy, we are taking yet another step towards reducing our carbon footprint.

The Road Ahead

Sustainability is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing journey that requires consistent effort, innovation, and collaboration. Thus, our strategy is focused on continuously decarbonising our operations while fostering sustainability in all aspects of our energy consumption.?

One of the critical elements of this strategy is the monitoring and management of our energy intensity ratio. This allows us to keep a close eye on the efficiency of our energy use relative to production levels. In FY24, our total energy consumption stood at 6,884.2 TJ, a slight reduction from the 6,934.6 TJ consumed in FY23. While we are proud of this progress, we remain focused on further optimising our energy consumption to meet our future goals.

It is clear that businesses like ours play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future. However, we cannot do this alone. Therefore, as we celebrate World Energy Saving Day, I urge every individual and organisation to take stock of their energy consumption and make conscious efforts to improve efficiency and embrace renewable solutions. At Apollo Tyres, we are proud to be part of this global movement, but we understand that there is much more work to be done.

We can build a more sustainable future for future generations by prioritising energy efficiency and embracing renewable energy. Let’s make energy-saving efforts part of our daily lives, not just something we celebrate on one day of the year.