Mahindra Susten Gets ‘Water Positive’ Certification

Mahindra Susten Gets 'Water Positive Certification'

Mahindra Susten, a renewable Independent Power Producer (IPP) with in-house expertise in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), announced that it has been awarded the ‘Water Positive Verification’ certificate for its 100% operating portfolio for the assessment year FY23.

The accreditation, granted by certification authority TUV India (TÜV NORD GROUP), recognized Susten’s commitment towards planet-positive initiatives and water resource conservation. This recognition comes after thoroughly auditing all project locations in five states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. As per TUV India’s evaluation, Susten’s +1.5 GWp of renewable energy portfolio commands a score of 15 (Positive) on the Water Footprint Index, implying that water recharged is 15 times over what was consumed.

Speaking about the achievement, Deepak Thakur, MD & CEO, Mahindra Susten, said, “Mahindra Group aims to be Planet Positive by 2040. Mahindra Susten is steadily steering the Group towards this shared goal. While the solar sector is critical for meeting the world’s renewable energy needs, it has traditionally been water-intensive, which goes against sustainability norms. This is primarily attributed to the constant need for cleaning solar modules to minimize soiling loss and mitigate module performance-related impacts. We have taken a major step towards establishing sustainable operations by having a 100% water-positive portfolio.

“Susten’s dedication to sustainability, aligned with our core purpose of ‘re-imagining clean energy, empowering lives,’ serves as a guiding principle in the development of our renewable energy projects. We will actively contribute to a more sustainable and water-positive future. We shall always remain committed to our mission of setting benchmarks for responsible corporate practices and fostering a Planet Positive future,” he added.

Undertaking solar projects in water-stressed areas such as Rajasthan presents substantial problems for any developer in securing the needed amount and quality of water, the firm said. 

Recognizing this challenge from the outset, Mahindra Susten initiated a mission to reduce water consumption without compromising the efficiency of solar power plants, thereby addressing the sector’s water footprint.