ABB to build solar-powered microgrid at its largest Indian fab

ABB India, the Indian arm of Swiss-headquartered ABB, is to build and install a microgrid at its largest manufacturing facility in India as part of the firm’s continued push for greater renewable penetration across its operations.
The Vadodara facility in the Indian state of Gujarat is the largest fab in ABB India’s portfolio, and will receive a 600 kW solar rooftop array, battery backup and microgrid control system to help wean the plant off its current reliance on fossil fuels.
ABB confirmed that it will use a PowerStore Battery grid stabilizing system together with a Microgrid Plus dedicated control system to help maximize the fab’s solar power output and ensure an uninterrupted power supply at a plant that currently employs 3,000 staff.
“Microgrid technology assumes greater significance for India as it provide access to electricity through localized generation and consumption, as well as reliable and resilient power supply to urban campuses and industrial operations,” said ABB India CEO and MD Sanjeev Sharma. “There is no better way to demonstrate our commitment to green and reliable power than installing a microgrid for our campus and contribute to the nation’s vision of clean energy and 500 MW of microgrids in the next five years.”
ABB’s Vadodara plant manufactures critical power equipment such as transformers, generators and gas-insulated switchgear. The company recently announced the inauguration of a new inverter production facility in Bengaluru, which is estimated to have an annual production capacity of around 2.5 GW.