Eveready, Somanhali, Karnataka

Eveready, a leading battery supplier in India, is renowned for its reliability and innovation. Committed to enhancing lives through quality energy solutions, the company has also focused on sustainability. At their manufacturing facility in Somanhali, Karnataka, frequent power outages disrupted operations five days a week. Relying on diesel generators for backup power raised environmental and cost concerns. To address these issues, Eveready sought a more sustainable alternative for their energy needs.

Shashidhara, Plant Manager- Eveready, Somanhali-  “I have noticed that electricity tariffs from the electricity board are increasing. It's not like the old days. In this scenario, what other power-saving options do we have? In this geographical condition, solar power is the only viable option.”

The Challenge

Eveready’s manufacturing plant faced two primary challenges:

Manufacturing Costs: The main expenses included the procurement and preparation of raw materials and the high cost of power, which led to a significant increase in overall manufacturing costs. While wind energy had been used at other locations, its effectiveness varied depending on geographical conditions, making widespread adoption difficult.

Frequent Grid Outages: Power outages disrupted Eveready’s operations nearly five days a week. To manage this, Eveready relied heavily on diesel generators, which raised both financial and environmental concerns.

Recognising the need for a reliable energy solution, along with rising costs and environmental concerns, Eveready decided to explore solar energy for powering its operations.

The Solution

Eveready partnered with candi solar to install a 650 kW solar system under a customised Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). This model provided financial flexibility by avoiding upfront costs and ensured smooth integration with existing operations. It also stabilised energy costs, protecting Eveready from fluctuating diesel and grid prices. The PPA was viewed as a strategic investment, offering potential for future scalability and regulatory advantages. 

The Result 

Shashidhara, Plant Manager- Eveready, Somanhali-“The landed cost of electricity per unit, including taxes, was around ₹11.00. Today, our power cost has reduced to about ₹8.00 per kWh, resulting in savings of nearly ₹3.00, representing a 30% reduction.”

Shashidhara, Plant Manager- Eveready, Somanhali-“Although our unit operates 24 hours a day, our peak consumption is during daylight hours. During grid failures, diesel generators come into play. However, there have been instances where the DGs couldn't fully support our operations. In such cases, solar power has become crucial in maintaining our operations.”

Eveready's 650 kWp solar system will generate over 9,00,000 kWp of energy annually, mitigating carbon emissions by more than 800 tons equivalent to planting over 36,000 trees.

As a leading carbon battery manufacturer, Eveready is committed to environmental responsibility. This initiative marks a step towards sustainability by reducing fuel consumption and improving environmental conditions. Thanks to solar power, Eveready has reduced their reliance on diesel generators and further minimised their carbon footprint.

Testimonial 

Shashidhara, Plant Manager- Eveready, Somanhali-“ There was a deadline spearing my head to get the project up and running till the financial year commits. Candi gave us that confidence and trust and committed to commissioning the project on time, which was fulfilled. They provided us with regular updates; the interaction has been very smooth and open. The preparation level was parallel to the communication, the statutory requirement, inspection, contract, project execution, and mobilisation of material, and it was done on time. It was like an emergency was declared which was also executed beautifully. There was tremendous support from everyone involved in the project.”