Ayana Renewable Power, an India-based independent power producer, has signed a power purchase agreement with Hindalco Industries, the metals flagship company of Aditya Birla Group, for the supply of 100 MW of round-the-clock (RTC) renewable power to Hindalco’s smelters in Odisha.

The 25-year power purchase agreement will be facilitated by 330 MW of solar-wind plus storage projects to be developed across India and connected through inter-state transmission systems.

Ayana will offer storage solutions in partnership with Greenko Energies’ pumped hydro storage project in Pinnapuram, Andhra Pradesh. The captive open access project is expected to have ~50% of solar and wind share.

Shivanand Nimbargi, MD & CEO of Ayana Renewable Power, said, “At Ayana Renewable Power, we are resolutely committed to steering India’s energy transition journey. Our latest project marks a pivotal milestone as we deliver 100 MW of uninterrupted, carbon-free power round-the-clock – a pioneering feat in the industrial segment.”

The company claims that the RTC renewable project is the first of its kind globally to supply reliable and continuous power to the aluminum industry.

Aluminum smelting is a concentrated process that requires reliable and uninterrupted power. A round-the-clock power supply is expected to help Hindalco run its smelters without any dependence on grid electricity.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, at the recent company annual general meeting, had informed that Hindalco’s renewable energy integration has increased by over 54% in the financial year 2023 and currently stands at 150 MW against the company’s target of 300 MW by 2025.

In June 2022, Hindalco entered into an agreement to acquire a 26% stake in Cleanwin Energy SIX’s 5 MW captive open access wind project to procure wind power to help reduce energy costs.

Ayana recently won the Railway Energy Management Company’s tender to supply 300 MW of RTC power by quoting ₹4.10 (~$0.050)/kWh.

With more and more commercial and industrial entities adopting renewable energy for their electricity needs, Mercom India is hosting the ‘C&I Clean Energy Meet 2023’ in multiple cities across India, bringing together renewable energy industry stakeholders face-to-face with C&I  businesses who wish to transition to renewables.

The next event will be held in Coimbatore on September 15, 2023, at the Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Race Course.