Kharkhoda/New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India Limited has commissioned a 1 megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System at its Kharkhoda manufacturing facility, enabling the automaker to store surplus solar electricity and use it when demand rises.
The Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS, has been integrated into the plant’s internal electricity distribution network as a pilot initiative. Maruti Suzuki said the project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 54 tonnes annually and has an estimated lifecycle of about 15 years.
The development builds on the company’s 20 MWp solar power project installed at the Kharkhoda facility in 2025.
Solar electricity continues to be generated during factory holidays and other low-demand periods. However, without sufficient on-site demand, some of that energy cannot be utilised immediately. The newly commissioned storage system will capture the excess electricity and make it available when required.
In other words, while the factory may take a holiday, the sun does not consult the production calendar.
Maruti Suzuki said the storage system would also help improve grid stability by balancing electricity generation and consumption within the manufacturing facility.
Announcing the initiative, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Maruti Suzuki is strongly aligned with India’s focus on building self-reliant energy ecosystems. The introduction of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at our Kharkhoda facility is part of these continued efforts. With a lifecycle of about 15 years, BESS will help to reduce nearly 54 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.^”
The company expects production volumes to increase from current levels but said it remains committed to lowering emissions associated with its manufacturing operations.
He added, “Going forward, our production volumes will increase from current levels. Despite this, we remain committed to lower Scope 1 & 2 emissions not only in terms of CO2 intensity but also in absolute CO2 emission in manufacturing. Our approach is in line with our parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation’s environmental vision, which has set an intermediate target to reduce Scope 1 & 2 CO2 emissions by 42% by FY 2030-31 compared to FY 2022-23.”
Scope 1 emissions generally arise directly from sources owned or controlled by a company, while Scope 2 emissions are linked to the electricity and other purchased energy used in its operations.
The Kharkhoda BESS project reflects a broader challenge facing industries that are increasing their dependence on renewable electricity: solar power generation does not always coincide with periods of peak consumption. Energy storage systems can help bridge that gap by retaining electricity that might otherwise remain unused.
For Maruti Suzuki, the pilot will offer practical insights into integrating battery storage with large-scale manufacturing and renewable energy systems. Its performance could also influence how the company deploys similar technology as production expands and pressure grows on manufacturers to reduce both the intensity and absolute volume of their emissions.
As India’s industrial sector adopts more renewable power, storage technologies are likely to become increasingly important—not merely as environmental additions, but as essential infrastructure for making clean electricity dependable around the clock.
