Jindal Stainless Partners AB Energia for Odisha Biggest Industrial Solar Plant

A major stainless steel manufacturer has commissioned the largest captive solar energy installation in Odisha at its Jajpur manufacturing facility.

The clean energy infrastructure, with a total capacity exceeding 30 megawatt-peak (MWp), marks a critical step towards decarbonising heavy industry while showcasing scalable models of green innovation. The project—executed in collaboration with a leading renewable energy solutions provider—comprises two core components: a 7.324 MWp floating solar plant set up on an internal reservoir and a 23.02 MWp rooftop solar system strategically installed across ten large industrial roofs. Together, they are expected to generate approximately 44.3 million units of renewable power annually. This energy will meet a significant share of the plant’s operational demand while offsetting around 32,208 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

With India’s industrial sector accounting for a large proportion of carbon emissions, this solar installation represents more than a shift to cleaner energy—it reflects a broader transformation in how industries approach environmental responsibility. According to officials involved in the project, turning previously unused water bodies into productive energy sites and optimising rooftop surfaces has allowed the facility to become a beacon of circular infrastructure design, particularly relevant in densely developed manufacturing zones. The floating solar unit, anchored atop a water reservoir inside the factory premises, is an example of technology meeting geography with purpose. Besides generating power, this setup also helps reduce water evaporation—a benefit in water-scarce industrial zones. Meanwhile, the rooftop systems make use of vertical and horizontal design variations across the facility to ensure maximum exposure to sunlight, thereby improving efficiency per unit of installed solar panels.

Experts associated with the energy firm responsible for engineering the project said the success of the Jajpur facility highlights the emerging role of decentralised solar energy in helping India’s industrial hubs reduce their dependency on fossil fuels. By enabling greater energy security, predictable long-term costs, and reduced emissions, projects like this make the case for sustainable manufacturing that can compete both in domestic and global markets. In recent years, demand for ‘green steel’ and other low-carbon industrial products has risen sharply across international supply chains. As manufacturers prepare to meet environmental standards enforced by global buyers and regulators, integrating renewable energy into core operations is no longer optional—it is an economic imperative.

The commissioning of this solar installation is also part of the stainless steel producer’s wider sustainability agenda, which includes achieving net zero emissions by 2050. To reach this goal, the company has announced plans to invest ₹700 crore over the next five years in decarbonisation and energy transition initiatives. These investments span energy-efficient technologies, electrification of internal transport systems, and scaling of renewable energy adoption through partnerships. Company officials underscored that this clean energy milestone is aligned with India’s national target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030. They also noted that such efforts bolster the region’s resilience against fluctuating energy prices while creating a model that could be replicated across industrial clusters throughout the country.

Odisha’s Jajpur district, long known for its metallurgical industries, now has an opportunity to emerge as a trailblazer in climate-resilient manufacturing. The successful execution of this integrated solar plant places Jajpur on the map for industrial transition and offers a replicable model for other states pursuing green infrastructure. In a context where energy-intensive sectors like steelmaking are often scrutinised for their environmental impact, this initiative stands as a testament to the possibility of transformation. It demonstrates that when industries invest in clean energy—not merely as an add-on but as a fundamental part of their operations—they can drive progress towards a zero-carbon economy.

Jindal Stainless Partners AB Energia for Odisha Biggest Industrial Solar Plant