The Naveen Jindal group is finalizing a Rs 15,000 crore investment plan for the development of renewable energy projects to provide a sustainable power source for its expanding steelmaking operations. According to sources, this move aims to support the group's ambition to reduce carbon emissions and produce green steel. The group is developing 4 gigawatts (GW) of in-house renewable power within the next few years to power new steel capacity additions.

The steel industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for nearly 8% of total emissions. By shifting towards renewable energy sources, the Naveen Jindal group seeks to align its operations with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals as demanded by investors. This transition to green steel is critical for reducing the industry's carbon footprint.

The renewable energy projects will primarily focus on solar and wind power, with most of the capacity being developed in Rajasthan and Karnataka. The group has already begun the land acquisition process for the projects and is in discussions with a close group of financiers to secure funding.

The projects will be managed by Jindal Renewable Power Private Limited, a group company focused on clean energy initiatives. This strategy is part of a broader plan to invest in green technologies to decarbonize the group's steel business.

Jindal Steel and Power has announced a major capacity expansion, aiming to ramp up its steelmaking operations to around one and a half times its existing size by the end of the 2025-26 financial year. The group plans to increase steelmaking capacity to about 15 million tonnes per annum by 2025-26, up from 9.6 million tonnes per annum in 2022-23.

The expanded steelmaking capacity will focus on producing hot rolled and cold rolled steel, which have wide applications in industries such as automotive and construction. For instance, India's rapid expansion of highway construction, with nearly 10,000 kilometers being built annually, requires significant quantities of steel for infrastructure such as guard rails.

The group's focus on renewable energy is in line with other steel firms like Tata Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, which have also announced plans to set up captive green power projects to eliminate carbon emissions from their steelmaking processes.

The Naveen Jindal group's investment in renewable energy reflects a growing trend in the industry to embrace sustainable practices and transition to green steel production. By doing so, the group aims to position itself as a leader in environmentally responsible steelmaking and meet the demands of a changing market and regulatory landscape.