Printing a Greener Future: The Tribune’s Solar Success Story

The Tribune, a renowned name in the newspaper industry, is an Indian daily newspaper published in Chandigarh in three languages – English, Hindi, and Punjabi. It is printed from four centers located at Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Bathinda, and Gurugram. It was founded in 1881 in Lahore (now in Pakistan) by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist; and by virtue of his Will, the organization is now managed by a Trust comprising five eminent personalities as Trustees. The Tribune holds significant prominence as one of India's major newspapers, enjoying a global readership and market leadership in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Chandigarh Tricity.

The challenge

Two primary motivations drove the Tribune's decision to transition to solar energy-

• Firstly, as a prominent media outlet and newspaper, they recognized a profound social responsibility to advocate for renewable energy. By integrating solar power into their operations, they aimed to lead by example and educate the public on the merits of sustainable energy practices, aligning their editorial content with their environmental commitments.
• Secondly, the Tribune anticipated significant cost savings by reducing their reliance on conventional electricity sources. Given the limited availability of alternative renewable energy options in their region, adopting solar energy emerged as the most practical and economically viable solution.

The Solution

The Tribune embarked on its first solar project in 2018 and subsequently expanded to include its manufacturing units in Chandigarh, Jalandhar, and Gurgaon, achieving a total installed capacity of 500 kWp.

Acknowledging that generating solar energy could not be their core competence, and mindful of the challenges that could arise in sourcing good quality solar hardware and maintaining it for the long term, The Tribune opted for an off-balance sheet model. This model involves a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), where they pay solely for the electricity generated.

The Tribune benefits from fixed, competitive tariffs typically lower than utility rates, reaping financial savings from day one. Traditional electricity tariffs are subject to market fluctuations and state regulations but under PPA the solar tariff remains fixed and this promises to shield The Tribune’s power costs from future price hikes by state electricity boards. The stability of this contract facilitates effective long-term budgeting and financial planning, aligning with The Tribune's strategic goals for sustainable and cost-effective energy.

Additionally, all operational and maintenance responsibilities are outsourced to Candi Solar, alleviating The Tribune from the burden of managing the solar systems and allowing them to focus on their core activities. This partnership ensures reliable energy supply with quality assurance through Candi's use of tier-one equipment tailored to their specific needs.

The Result

The Tribune now sources 40% of its total power consumption directly from its roof-top solar plants. This shift has led to over 15% decrease in their overall electricity expenses. Looking ahead, these savings are projected to double to 30% from the year 2028, when one of their contracts attains the end of its term. This milestone shall represent a substantial increase in their overall cost savings and underscore the long-term financial benefits of solar energy investments.

Testimonial

Parvindar Singh Kapoor, (Manager Electrical cum Printing)- “Our relations with Candi are very comfortable and ever since we’ve dealt with Candi we have had no problem. Since the time of installation, all the people & employees of Candi with whom we have come in contact have been very conducive, very comfortable and all the problems whenever they arise have been promptly attended to, so I would say it’s a very beautiful relationship we have with Candi."