Bradken Invests in Photovoltaics Specialist Enerparc Group

Mining equipment parts manufacturer Bradken Pty Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. has acquired 12.5% of the issued stocks of Enerparc AG (“Enerparc”) group company Enerparc Solar Power 3, a photovoltaic power generation specialist with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions at its Coimbatore facility in India where power generated by solar panels will come on line in April 2023.

Increases renewable energy ratio at Coimbatore facility in India, reducing annual CO2 emissions

As a result, approximately 10.5 GWh a year, corresponding to around 40% of the current level of electricity consumption at the Coimbatore facility, will be supplied by solar power, increasing the ratio of renewable energy consumed at the entire facility to approximately 75% and reducing annual CO2 emissions by around 7,700tons.

Enerparc is a leading German photovoltaics company with operations in 25 countries worldwide, including Europe, the Middle East, Russia/CIS and Australia. It owns and operates solar power plants supplying approx. 2,500 MW of renewable electricity across the globe.

Accompanying its economic growth, demand for electric power in India is expected to grow at an annual average rate of around 4–5%* until 2030, but chronic electricity shortages often lead to disrupted power supplies. In addition, air pollution caused by coal-fired power generation and automobile exhaust emissions is a major problem. Under these circumstances, the Indian government has set a goal of 60% of the total power generating capacity from renewable sources, with plans to introduce 450 GW (510 GW if 60 GW of hydroelectric power is included) by 2030 to promote introduction of renewable energy.

* Forecast by Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and JMK Research

Hitachi Construction Machinery Group has set a target of 45% reduction in CO2 emissions in its production processes by 2030 from 2010 levels and is promoting reduced CO2 emissions by converting to renewables, such as installing solar panels on the site of consolidated subsidiary Tata Hitachi’s Kharagpur works in West Bengal, India in 2019. Of the approximately 134,000 tons of CO2 emitted by Bradken's total manufacturing CO2 emissions FY2021, its Coimbatore facility accounts for 24,200 tons or approximately 18%, but this current initiative will see a reduction of 7,700 tons.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Group is aiming for carbon neutrality through its entire value chain by 2050. Going forward, it will promote environment-friendly monozukuri at all production bases and group companies in Japan and overseas.

www.hitachicm.com

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