Vedanta Aluminium Leads India’s Green Industrial Transition with Ambitious Decarbonisation Drive
By Susanta Kumar Dalai
Bhubaneswar, June 5: Vedanta Aluminium, the country’s largest aluminium producer, is making decisive strides in integrating sustainability at the core of its operations, setting new benchmarks for climate action in India’s heavy industry sector. In a rapidly decarbonising global economy, the company is rolling out an ambitious suite of initiatives aimed at reducing emissions, embracing renewable energy, and promoting green mobility.
A key pillar of Vedanta’s green transition is its long-term partnership with Serentica Renewables, under which it is securing 1,335 MW of renewable energy for its sprawling facilities in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. This is a crucial step towards the company’s goal of having 30% of its energy sourced from renewables by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Diversifying its energy mix, Vedanta has also forged an agreement with GAIL (India) Limited to procure natural gas for its casthouse operations — a move aimed at curbing dependence on fossil fuels. At the same time, the company is championing biomass co-firing using agricultural waste. Its Lanjigarh alumina refinery and BALCO smelter have adopted the practice, with Lanjigarh alone co-firing 20 tonnes of biomass daily, thereby reducing over 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually while creating livelihood opportunities for local farmers.
Vedanta’s decarbonisation focus isn’t limited to energy generation. In a pioneering move for Indian industry, the company has committed to transitioning its entire light motor vehicle fleet to zero-emission alternatives by 2030. It has already introduced India’s first 10-ton electric forklift at its Jharsuguda plant and operates the largest fleet of electric lithium-ion forklifts in the country. Supporting this shift is a collaboration with Let’s DriEV to encourage electric vehicle use among township residents and employees.
The company is also exploring biodiesel for its logistics operations, with successful pilot runs completed recently. These efforts reflect Vedanta’s proactive approach to exploring multiple decarbonisation pathways.
Recognised globally, Vedanta Aluminium has secured the second rank in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 for the aluminium sector and has earned Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certifications for responsible operations. Its product line also carries Environmental Product Declarations, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainable industrial leadership
