Maruti Suzuki India has officially commissioned its first 300-kilowatt (kW) green hydrogen electrolyser plant at its Manesar manufacturing facility in Haryana. This pilot project marks a significant step in the automaker's strategy to reduce its carbon footprint across operations.
Utilizing Solar Power for Sustainable Fuel
The newly installed plant is designed to leverage surplus solar power generated at the Manesar facility. During periods when solar energy output exceeds immediate operational needs, such as holidays, this excess power will be used to operate the electrolyser. This process produces green hydrogen, which will then be blended with natural gas and employed as a process fuel in the company's manufacturing activities.
The hydrogen produced will be stored, ensuring a consistent supply for subsequent use in production, thereby optimizing energy consumption and promoting sustainable practices.
Broader Sustainability Vision and Future Expansion
Maruti Suzuki views this green hydrogen initiative as a core component of its wider clean-energy strategy. The company aims to substantially reduce its manufacturing-related carbon footprint from approximately 615,000 tonnes to 266,000 tonnes by the fiscal year 2030-31.
Hisashi Takeuchi, MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki, emphasized the growing importance of CO2 intensity alongside cost and quality in determining India's competitiveness as a manufacturing hub. "India's competitiveness as a manufacturing hub may depend not only on cost and quality but also on CO2 intensity," Takeuchi stated.
Building on the insights gained from this pilot, Maruti Suzuki intends to scale up the adoption of green hydrogen technology across its various manufacturing plants in Haryana and Gujarat. Beyond hydrogen, the company's comprehensive clean-energy roadmap includes expanding its use of solar power, integrating biogas, and implementing battery energy storage systems.
Other Clean Energy Initiatives
- At its Kharkhoda facility, Maruti Suzuki is in advanced stages of setting up a 10 tonnes-per-day biogas plant, expected to be operational during FY2026-27.
- A 1 MWh battery energy storage system has also been commissioned at the Kharkhoda plant.
- The company has begun integrating compressed biogas (CBG) as a process fuel and has approved four CBG projects with a total budget of ₹561 crore.
These diverse investments underscore Maruti Suzuki's commitment to transitioning towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible manufacturing future.