Our sustainability aspirations
We have taken on record specific aspirations regarding overall environmental sustainability, which are aligned to our Group strategy and goals. These aspirations are housed under three broad levers.
Growth
ESG and environment
Technology
ESG and environment
Material topics
UN Sustainable Development Goals
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Climate action and green energy leadership
One of the biggest trials humanity is facing today is climate change and as a responsible corporate, we have taken early action to contribute to the global agenda of climate action. Through conscious steps including growth through decarbonised and digitalised energy models; committing to no fresh coal based investments; ramping down thermal capacity at the end of contractual obligations, and adopting water and waste circularity, we continue to demonstrate our strong commitment to sustainable economic development. Further, we pursue our economic and environmental goals, while aiming to provide last-mile energy access through decentralised power generation and reliable models of distribution.
By aligning our business vision with the global UNSDG agenda, we have strengthened our ESG focus in its journey of being the 'Utility of the Future'. We are empowering customers with green choices, and are enabling communities by making them future-ready. As a major milestone in our climate action journey, we have committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), doing our part to keep the rise of global temperature well below 2°C, with the leadership goal of becoming carbon net neutral before 2045.
We are a signatory to TCFD and are committed towards alignment with TCFD Framework for Climate Change related Risk and Opportunity assessment and mitigation.
Each of the identified risks have mitigation and contingency plans outlined and integrated within our long-term strategy.
Tata Power strives to accelerate its short-term and long-term ESG goals by leveraging innovation, digitalisation, and technology transformation and has adopted a circular economy framework. In line with our sustainable business approach of 'Leadership with Care’, we are pioneering inclusive energy transition and creating long-term value for stakeholders while carving a leadership niche of becoming the 'Most Preferred Green Energy Brand’.
Air emissions
Apart from GHG emissions, we take cognisance of the various other air pollutants such as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen and particulate matter, generated by our operations. To manage these emissions, we have implemented state-of-the-art equipment to reduce these at source, and manage them before releasing into the environment. The technologies and mechanisms we deploy to minimise air emissions include electrostatic precipitators, monitoring devices for carbon monoxide emissions, flue gas desulphurisation.
Auxiliary power consumption (APC)
We continuously optimise our auxiliary power consumption (power used for own operations), through various measured such as stopping electrical equipment usage during low load operations and introduction of more power-efficient devices for lighting.
Station Heat Rate (SHR)
We lay constant focus on improving the overall conversion efficiency of our plants and generation systems. Such initiatives enable more power per unit of input material, while reducing wastage, cost and GHG emissions.
Water management
A significant part of our generation portfolio still depends on thermal power generation, which uses substantial amounts of water for operational purposes. With water being a scarce and common resource, we are progressively reducing our dependence on freshwater and are taking proactive measures such as rainwater harvesting to achieve water neutrality before 2030.
From a discharge standpoint, most of our thermal units have attained a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) status (excepting seawater used for cooling), and the quality of discharge in other locations is managed as per regulatory norms. The recycled water from Sewage Treatment Plants at our locations is used for gardening purposes.
Seawater* (kilo litres)
Water withdrawal and consumption by source
Specific Water Consumption (m3/mWh)
The Government of India, through a Gazette Notification in 2015 and subsequent amendments, mandated limits on fresh water for specific water consumption for coal fired thermal power generation. This is 3.5 m3/Mwh for units commissioned prior to 01-01-2017 and 3.0 m3/Mwh for others. Tata Power's specific water consumption falls within this metric across units, as illustrated below.
Raw material management
Our dependence on conventional fuels and raw materials are gradually decreasing, with our portfolio becoming greener. This portends to a reduced raw material risk for us as an organisation, and reduced extraction of limited natural resources such as coal, benefiting the environment.
Raw material consumption
Waste management
At Tata Power, we are setting up the blocks to contribute to a circular economy at large. We have taken solid strides in proactive waste management practices across our value-chain, including maximisation of fly-ash utilisation and progressing to zero waste to landfill (in cases of PV panel disposal). Similarly, before the start of any project, we assess the proposed operations for best-in-class waste management practices and take the best possible way forward. Considering an average of 25 years life for PV panels, we also expect the waste from PV panels to go up post 2035 and are planning for future courses of action accordingly.
Waste diverted from disposal
Biodiversity
The hydro catchment areas in and around our hydro plants are rich in biodiversity and genetic material. They are closely linked to ecological and social sustainability as well. At Tata Power, we are cognisant of our responsibility towards ensuring biodiversity conservation and we undertake biodiversity-related interventions under the following broad areas:
Key highlights
Key conservation efforts across locations
Long-term roadmap
We have a clear plan of action for achieving our environmental and ESG goals in the short, medium and long-terms.
