Toyota Kirloskar Sources 87% of Electricity from RE in Karnataka

Toyota Kirloskar Motors, an Indian subsidiary of Japanese auto maker Toyota Motors sourced 87% of electricity from renewable source of energy in Bidadi plant for operation. Toyota Kirloskar Motors or TKM contributed more than 51,000 tons of Co2 reduction, claimed the company.

Toyota started greening its energy source in 2015-16 and being committed to this journey has stepped ahead every year. The company has witnessed a substantial increase in Green Energy Procurement as well as its investment in renewable energy sector. Toyota has in-house solar power plants’ rooftops and ground at Bidadi facility that produces 8.4 MW of electricity and with the renewable energy sourcing, it has increased to 65% in FY 17-18 from 15 percent in FY 15-16.

Speaking on Toyota’s commitment towards sustainability, Mr Masakazu Yoshimura, Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “Business can play a significant leadership role in accelerating the transition to a lower-carbon economy, we see renewable energy to be a key component of climate action efforts. As a responsible corporate citizen, we at Toyota strongly believe in the philosophy of “Respect for the Planet”. Reiterating our commitment to enable greener environment, TKM sources clean energy and adopts smart manufacturing systems towards Toyota’s ultimate global mission of ‘Zero Carbon Emission. Over the years, TKM has been stringently working towards the reduction of dependency on non-renewable energy resources by implementing various energy management procedures to achieve environmental sustainability. Our renewable energy strategies prioritize energy efficiency and policy advocacy, well aligning with Government’s initiatives. I am very proud to declare that during October 2018, we achieved 100% renewable power source for our energy requirements. Through such significant goals, TKM could effectively contribute towards emission reduction by over 51,000 tons of Co2 during first three quarters of FY 2018-19.”

Additionally, Toyota has also worked on reducing Co2 emissions at its manufacturing plant by devising a strategy through energy “Consumption Reduction” and “Conversion Efficiency. Toyota aims at improving its operational efficiency with help of energy transformation from one form to another. Other means of initiatives that have been used like reverse refrigeration system, adoption of smart ACs, centralized control of chillers that reduces Co2 emission significantly.

TKM was also recognized as the “Model Plant” under its “Zero CO2 Plant” challenge among the Toyota Asia-Pacific affiliates. The Toyota facility in Bidadi, Karnataka has a capacity to produce three lakh vehicles a year where Toyota and Suzuki plan to produce cars together by 2022.

Picture credit Toyota