~1st Solar PV Power Plant in the iron ore mine in the country~
~The project, executed by Tata Power Solar will help reduce CO2 emission by about 3000 tonnes per annum~

With due consideration towards Tata Steel’s initiatives towards reducing carbon footprint, a 3 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant has been commissioned at Noamundi. This is the 1st Solar Power Plant in any iron ore mine in the country. The project, executed by Tata Power Solar will help in reducing CO2 emission by about 3000 tonnes per annum.

The 3 MW Solar Power Plant was jointly inaugurated today by Mr T V Narendran, Managing Director, Tata Steel India & SEA along with Mr Ashish Khanna, Executive Director & CEO., Tata Power Solar and Mr Sanjeev Mehra, Managing Director, Tata Power Trading Company, in the presence of Mr Rajeev Singhal, Vice President (Raw Materials), Tata Steel, Mr Pankaj Satija, General Manager (Ore Mines & Quarries), Tata Steel and other senior officials of the company.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Narendran expressed pride and happiness on the occasion of inauguration of the 3 MW Solar Power Plant, calling it a major achievement for Tata Steel.Reiterating Tata Steel`s commitment to clean energy, Mr Narendran said: “We have constantly looked at opportunities to exploit renewable energy sources. This is yet another milestone in our quest to become a sustainability driven company, committed to exploring clean energy solutions. Renewable energy is the best way of mitigating the impact of climate change.”

Set up at a cost of Rs 35 crore, the initiative is aimed at addressing climate change issues and other demands on natural resources for the Company`s captive use around its mining locations. Synergy between three Tata companies, namely, Tata Steel, Tata Power Solar and Tata Power Trading Company was instrumental in shaping the project into reality. With Tata Steel as the sole buyer of all electricity at a contracted tariff, this partnership demonstrates Tata Steel`s commitment to climate action and voice support for supporting a strong outcome at the UN Climate Change Conference Paris 2015 (COP 21).

Highlighting the importance of the project, Mr Khanna said: “We are very glad to execute this project as it represents a huge step towards bringing the sun’s clean, sustainable energy as a part of a hybrid system which has grid power as well as fossil fuel as an option. This project epitomises new technologies for a sustainable and continuous power requirement and such plants demonstrate how energy needs of the manufacturing sector can be met through clean and renewable sources like solar and has the potential to take usage of solar energy to a new heights.”

Talking about the partnership with Tata Steel, Mr Mehra said:  "We are pleased to have partnered with Tata Steel on this strategic asset investment. Such unique Hybrid Solar Power Plant would help in providing reliable and consistent power supply to the industry. Moreover, it helps in contributing towards Tata Power Group vision of increasing footprints in the renewable sector."

Solar modules convert the solar radiation into electricity which is converted through inverters to AC power at suitable voltage and then fed to the utility grid with net metering facility for accounting of the solar electricity. In case of complete outage of grid, the solar plant has the capability to synchronize with existing DG bus at processing plant Noamundi and continue operation.

The plant covers 19 acres of land at an elevated reclaimed mining hill with ample undulations and a very rocky terrain. Solar lights have been used for boundary and area lighting around the solar plant. The selected site has a potential of 4.5 MW solar power generation.

A rain water harvesting system has been set-up to collect all surface run-off from rains and module cleaning activities to serve as make-up water and minimize module cleaning water requirement. Horticulture has been planned under the solar panels that will add to the aesthetic value and will reduce cleaning water requirement by binding the loose top soil.

Tata Steel has completed a vital milestone in its quest to becoming a sustainability driven company, committed to exploring clean energy solutions as a major step towards energy security problems in India.

About Tata Steel
Tata Steel Group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 27.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) as on March 31, 2017. It is the world's second-most geographically-diversified steel producer, with operations in 26 countries and a commercial presence in over 50 countries. The Group recorded a consolidated turnover of US $18.12 billion (INR 117,420 crore) in FY17. Tata Steel Group is spread across five continents with an employee base of nearly 74,000. Having bagged the Deming Application Prize and Deming Grand Prize for continuous improvement in 2008 and 2012 respectively, Tata Steel has now been recognised as the global ‘Industry Leader’ in ‘Steel category’ by Dow Jones Sustainability Index (2015). Besides being a member of the World Steel Climate Action Programme, Tata Steel has also been felicitated with several awards including the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant for 2013-14 (received in 2017), Best Risk Management by CNBC TV18 (2016), ‘Best-in-class Manufacturing’ award from TIME India (2016) and the ‘Most Ethical Company’ award from the Ethisphere Institute (2016), IIM Sustainability Award (2015), among several others.

Disclaimer
Statements in this press release describing the Company’s performance may be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those directly or indirectly expressed, inferred or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include, among others, economic conditions affecting demand/ supply and price conditions in the domestic and overseas markets in which the Company operates, changes in or due to the environment, Government regulations, laws, statutes, judicial pronouncements and/ or other incidental factors.

Kulvin Suri
Chief, Corporate Communications, India & SEA
Tata Steel
Tel: +91 657 664 5512/ +91 92310 52397
E-mail: kulvinsuri@tatasteel.com