Vedanta Aluminium lights up rural Odisha with 1,700 solar installations on National Energy Conservation Day

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

LANJIGARH/JHARSUGUDA, DECEMBER 16, 2025

Marking National Energy Conservation Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has significantly expanded its community-led clean energy initiatives across Odisha by installing 1,700 solar lights, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development and responsible energy use. The initiative includes the distribution of 1,280 household solar lights in Lanjigarh and the installation of 421 solar-powered streetlights across key mining regions, bringing clean, reliable illumination to thousands of rural and semi-urban households.

Rolled out as part of Energy Conservation Week observed from December 7 to 13, 2025, the programme combined large-scale solar lighting installations with widespread community engagement in Lanjigarh, Jharsuguda and Vedanta Aluminium’s mining regions. The effort underscores the company’s focus on inclusive development by improving safety, enhancing quality of life and promoting energy efficiency at the grassroots level while supporting Odisha’s low-carbon growth journey.

In Lanjigarh alone, solar household lights were distributed across 16 villages, while solar streetlights were installed in 33 villages, benefiting more than 10,000 community members and strengthening access to clean energy after dusk. Across mining regions in Kalahandi, Rayagada, Sundargarh and Jharsuguda, 421 solar-powered streetlights now illuminate village roads and public spaces, benefiting over 15,000 residents and reducing an estimated 49 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually.

Complementing its community initiatives, Vedanta Aluminium continues to accelerate its clean energy transition across operations. In FY25, the company consumed 1.57 billion units of renewable energy, achieved energy savings of 378 million units and reduced greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 8.96 per cent compared to FY21 levels. It is also progressing towards securing nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power through long-term power purchase agreements under its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap.

Commenting on the initiatives, Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said energy conservation for the company extends beyond operations to the communities it works with. He noted that expanding solar access in villages while driving efficiency across plants aligns with Vedanta Aluminium’s vision of “Transforming communities, Transforming the Planet and Transforming the Workplace.”

Energy Conservation Week also witnessed vibrant outreach activities involving employees, students and local communities. These included cycle rallies, school awareness programmes, painting and quiz competitions, extempore sessions on climate change, and the ‘Energy Tank Vedanta’ platform that encouraged innovative ideas for energy savings, sustainable mobility and carbon reduction.

Through this integrated approach, Vedanta Aluminium continues to demonstrate that industrial growth and community progress can advance together, contributing meaningfully to Odisha’s development and India’s broader decarbonisation goals.