Vitesco Technologies (erstwhile Continental Drivetrain) is a German automotive supplier for drivetrain and powertrain technologies. The company is determined to move towards net zero emissions through its strategic program, ‘Direction 2030’. As a part of this program it aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all manufacturing facilities by 2030. The company is also an official member of the initiative Renewable 100 (RE100). BECIS has partnered with Vitesco as sustainability solutions partner for supporting Vitesco towards meeting its internal sustainability target at its facility at Pune, India. As a first step towards achieving this, a rooftop solar power plant of capacity 2.6 MWp was installed in 2021. Additional 787 kWp solar car park project is under commissioning. The total solar power project will generate about 5 million units of electricity annually. Thus, helping reduce more than 4,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions.
As a part of Direction 2030, Vitesco also plans to implement efficiency programs to reduce the energy consumption at its facilities. This is mainly planned to be achieved through avoiding energy losses, by retrofitting existing utilities, and by defining highly ambitious target values for purchasing new production facilities and infrastructure. As a result, in the next phase BECIS focussed on energy efficiency solutions. BECIS carried out a walkthrough energy audit of the facility and proposed optimisation of 2 x 950 TR water-cooled chillers and EV charging station as solutions. BECIS and Vitesco recently entered into a long-term contract for these solutions. As per the terms of this contract, BECIS shall design, construct, operate and maintain the project at its own cost. Vitesco shall not make any upfront payment to BECIS. Savings accrued from the project shall be shared with BECIS as per the terms of the contract. The project is expected to save more than 400,000 units of electricity annually. Apart from cost savings, Vitesco shall avail other benefits such as support in availing LEED certification, CO2e savings, digitisation, automation, improved life of equipment etc. At the signing ceremony, from Vitesco, present were Mr. Ramanathan Ramachandran (Plant head), Mr. Narendra Patil (Facilities Manager), and Mr. Kaustubh Kulkarni (Purchase head). From BECIS Rahul Dasari (Managing Director), Ashish Tikhe (AVP – Business Development) and Sarang Garud (AVP – Business Development) were present for the event. The multiple energy optimizing solutions and the solar power plant are helping Vitesco in moving towards being carbon neutral.