ESMD

Sustainability Reports 

Continuing our Sustainability journey started in year 1998 with the disclosure of our ESPP and to provide further impetus to it, POWERGRID has started the process of ESG framework. This has been necessitated not only due to the fact that the contours of the business and market dynamics are changing but also to fulfil the rising expectations of our stakeholders.

Since, we want to be a part of the solution of the pressing problems of the world such as climate change, ESG framework will help us in synchronizing and consolidating our sustainability efforts and bring more transparency in our reporting processes. Additionally, it will be also useful in complying with the newly introduced regulatory requirements such as “Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report” by the Stock Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

POWERGRID has aligned its business activities with 13 SDGs out of total 17.

Partnering with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), South Asia for United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2030.

Natural Resource Management

Following the basic principles of resource efficiency through Avoidance and Minimization, involvement of forest, an important natural resource/carbon sink, has been progressively reduced by around 65 % from a baseline of 6 % in 1998 through route optimization by including study of alternative routes and use of modern survey tools.

Leveraging modern technology in the form of development & use of innovative tower design (multi-circuit, compact and pole type towers) and adoption of high voltage levels transmission system (1200 kV, ±800kV HVDC, 765kV etc.) not only reduce the requirement of precious land resources and social risks to projects but also substantially reduce felling of tree as well as conservation of wildlife in ecologically sensitive areas

Pole-type tower installed near Okhla Bird Sanctuary

Multi circuit Tower in Existing Corridor in Jaldapara Sanctuary

1200 kV Upgradable Wardha-Aurangabad Line

Tall Tower (up to 80 m) in Rajaji NP reduced tree felling from 90,000 to 14,739

Reducing Social Impacts

Minimizing social impacts through land optimization, adoption of compact substation (GIS) in place of conventional AIS, locating substation primarily on encroachment free barren Govt. land.

Barren Land Before Construction of Gwalior S/s

Gwalior S/s After Construction

Securing land for substation through “Willing Buyer Willing seller” basis on market/negotiated rate to ensure mutually beneficial stakeholder relation and to avoid public resistance/court intervention.

Replenish Natural resources

Massive plantations with suitable indigenous species with more than 7 Lakh trees in its establishments till 2021. Additional, 5.5 lakh plantation planned by 2030

Rain Water Harvesting, an integral and mandatory part of our substations’ design with an aim to conserve precious rainwater and sustainability of ground water aquifers through harvesting / recharge.

No major solid or liquid waste generated due to very nature of our activities except metal scraps, used batteries, transformer oil and e-waste etc. which are disposed of in environmentally sound manner to authorized recyclers/reprocessors or channelized back to manufacturers for recycling following applicable regulations. For other wastes like domestic organic waste, paper etc. generated from day to day activities our waste management program is based on reduce, reuse and recycle principle. Followings are some key initiatives undertaken by POWERGRID

Installation of composting machines at more than 55 locations for recycling and reuse of organic/bio-degradable waste generated from its residential townships/substation and office establishments. This initiative has eliminated the problem of disposal of organic waste as well as compost produce from such waste is gainfully utilized inhouse.

Established a “Waste Paper Recycling” plant at Gurgaon Substation with capacity to handle 40-60 kgs of waste paper daily that has resulted in conservation of natural resources like tree, water etc. and also reduced procurement of paper/stationary items from the open market.

Digital initiatives towards paperless work such as e-office, DREAMS (Drawing Review and Engineering Approval Management System), e-Tendering Portal-PRANIT, establishment of Centralized Vendor Bill Processing facilities etc. has not only reduced the generation of waste paper substantially but also paved the way for paperless office in future.

POWERGRID ensure that all our stakeholders from government departments, communities to individual landowners and employees are well informed, involved and fully understand the role of POWERGRID in transmission of power across the country. The ESPP spells out its commitment to ensure total transparency through a well-defined public consultation process as well as dissemination of relevant information about the project at every stage of its implementation.

During formal and informal consultations, questions/doubt/queries of community are heard and answered to their satisfaction. We also encourage members of public to put forward their feedback/suggestion which in turn, as per feasibility are considered during various stages of project implementation. This process not only ensures a feeling ownership towards project among the local community but also greatly enhances the image of the organization.

Towards fulfilment of GoI’s target of 500 GW Capacity from non-fossil energy sources by 2030, POWERGRID is playing a pivotal role for grid integration of various Renewable Energy Zones in the country through implementation of high capacity Green Energy Corridors (GEC).

Recognizing the importance of renewable energy in reducing carbon footprint, POWERGRID has already installed 7.6 MWp of rooftop Solar PV systems at 118 locations. Further, Installation of 7.5 MWp at 96 locations is in process of planning/ implementation. Established capacity of rooftop solar PV systems is reducing about 9300 MT of CO2 emission annually.

POWERGRID is also evaluating setting up solar generation plants on vacant land available in substations. First of such plant to be established in Nagda, (M.P.) having 105 MWp capacity.

Pioneering effort in developing technology for use the inductive power in earth wire for powering of telecom antennas has huge potential to reduce emission of Green House Gases (GHGs) from DG sets -a constant source of pollution and GHGs emission. This initiative will result in saving of 40-60 tCO2/ year/location.

On Climate resilience front, POWERGRID has taken initiatives viz. strengthening of towers in areas with changing wind profiles, hardening design parameters etc. to combat climate change risks to our assets.

Increasing the carbon sink through plantation of suitable species in all its establishment with a target to plant 5.5 lakhs more trees by 2030 in addition to 7 Lakh trees already existing.