Apple Partners with CleanMax for Solar Power in India
Tech industry leader Apple has announced a joint venture with CleanMax, a Mumbai-based renewable energy company. This collaboration involves an investment in six rooftop solar projects, generating a combined capacity of 14.4 MW.
“This additional capacity provides a locally sourced solution to power Apple’s offices, its two Indian retail stores, and other operations in the country,” Apple explained in a recent blog post.
Environmental Benefits and Innovative Approach
The partnership adopts a unique business model. As stated by CleanMax in a press release, the environmental benefits generated from the funded projects will directly contribute to Apple’s goal of reducing the carbon footprint associated with its Indian operations. These solar installations are estimated to prevent the emission of 207,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) over their operational lifespan.
Aligning with Global Sustainability Goals
This initiative aligns with Apple’s broader environmental commitment to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2030. The Cupertino-based company reports reaching 100% clean energy usage for its global corporate offices back in 2018.
Apple has also undertaken freshwater replenishment projects in some of its most resource-intensive regions of operation, including Telangana and Maharashtra. “Through ongoing work with Uptime Catalyst Facility, Apple achieved its target for 100% water replenishment for its Indian corporate operations last year,” the company stated.
Solar Solutions Amidst Growing India Focus
Apple’s commitment to solar energy comes at a time of heightened investment in India. The iPhone maker is reportedly shifting half of its manufacturing supply chain out of China, diversifying its operations away from Beijing due to rising labor costs and the ongoing trade war between the US and China.
Boosting the Indian Manufacturing Ecosystem
Industry experts predict that Apple’s expanding industrial presence has the potential to create an estimated 5 lakh (500,000) direct jobs in India over the next three years. Additionally, Apple is reportedly in advanced discussions with Indian business giants like the Murugappa Group and Tata Group’s Titan Company to manufacture iPhone camera modules within the country.
Both Tata and Murugappa are poised to receive government support for establishing a semiconductor chip foundry unit in India.
Improving Worker Well-Being
To enhance the appeal of the Indian manufacturing landscape for workers, iPhone assemblers and suppliers like Foxconn, Tata, and Salcomp are reportedly planning to provide employee housing solutions. The initial plan is to construct approximately 78,000 housing units, with 58,000 of them slated for development in Tamil Nadu.