Apple ties up with CleanMax to run India offices on solar power

Tech giant Apple has formed a joint venture with Indian renewable energy developer CleanMax to invest in a portfolio of six rooftop solar projects of a combined 14.4 megawatts (MW) to power Apple’s India offices, its two retail stores, and other operations in the country.

These installations are expected to mitigate around 207,000 tons of CO2 emissions throughout their operational life, underscoring Apple’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the Cupertino-headquartered firm said. 

The joint venture is a part of the iPhone maker’s vision to become carbon neutral across its entire value chain by 2030.

The financial details of the JV were been disclosed.

CleanMax is Asia’s leading renewable energy company in the commercial and industrial sectors, and it has 1 gigawatt (GW) of operating renewable assets. The company pioneered the ‘Energy Sale’ model for rooftop solar in India in 2011, and the company is working with more than 350 corporates for their renewable energy requirements. 

Its renewable energy assets include rooftop solar projects, solar farms, wind farms, and wind-solar hybrid farms. The company currently operates over 600 MW of solar and wind farms to supply clean energy to its corporate customers, and it has an operating capacity of over 350 MW across India, UAE, and Thailand. It has more than 600 rooftop solar projects for corporates.

Apple’s carbon-neutral goal 

As part of Apple’s 2030 goal to become carbon neutral, more than 18 gigawatts (GW) of clean electricity now power the company’s global operations and manufacturing supply chain, surpassing the amount in 2020. 

As part of Apple 2030, the company has called on its global suppliers to use clean electricity and become carbon neutral across all their Apple-related operations. 

Over 320 suppliers—representing 95% of Apple’s direct manufacturing spend—have led the way in the transition so far, resulting in 16.5 GW of renewable energy online in Apple’s supply chain today, the company said. 

Apple is also making new investments in solar energy in the United States and Europe to help address the electricity customers use to charge and power their Apple devices.

Apple said it has also advanced progress toward its goal to replenish 100% of the freshwater used in corporate operations in high-stress locations. This includes launching new partnerships to deliver nearly 7 billion gallons in water benefits—from restoring aquifers and rivers, to funding access to drinking water—over the next 20 years. 

As with clean energy, Apple has extended its commitment to clean water across the entire supply chain: Together, Apple suppliers saved over 12 billion gallons of fresh water last year, for a total of 76 billion gallons in water savings since the company launched its Supplier Clean Water Program in 2013, the company claimed. 

“Clean energy and water are foundational to healthy communities and essential building blocks for a responsible business,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy, and social initiatives. 

“We’re racing toward our ambitious Apple 2030 climate goal while taking on the long-term work to transform electrical grids and restore watersheds to build a cleaner future for all,” Jackson added.