By: Regeena Regmi, Communication Specialist, NREP
Saras Beverages has tapped into the sun’s energy to manufacture its best-selling beverage, Red Bull. Situated in the southern plains of the country in Nawalpur, the company has installed a cutting-edge rooftop solar system with a capacity of 514.80 kWp. Partnering with Gham Urja Pvt. Ltd. under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, this project has been supported by the Government of Nepal’s Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund’s (SECF) Generation-Based Incentive window.
With a forward-thinking approach, Saras integrated solar power into its operations from day one. To keep up with its impressive production capacity of 120,000 liters per day, Saras needed a reliable source of energy, which it found through the photovoltaic (PV) system. “After the raw materials, energy is the biggest cost for us,” said Mr. Naresh Paneru, General Manager of the factory. “We wanted to reduce this cost and be smart about our investments from the very beginning. This rooftop solar system has been instrumental in achieving that,” he added.
Solar Rooftop installation at Saras Brewery
Today, Saras operates primarily during daylight hours, with 70% of its total energy demand being fulfilled by solar energy. By leveraging solar power, SARAS has substantially reduced its reliance on diesel generators, resulting in significant cost savings and environmental benefits. Additionally, during peak sunshine hours, Saras generates surplus energy, some of which is fed back to the national grid via net metering, further offsetting electricity expenses for an impressive 25,000+ kWh of energy in the first month of operation itself.
“Previously, we used a larger-capacity backup diesel generator, which consumed 900 liters of diesel per week,” said Mr. Paneru. “After the switch to solar, we have reduced this to less than 500 liters per week. This has reduced our dependence on fossil fuels.”
Highly satisfied with the performance of its PV system, SARAS firmly believes that industries should invest in renewable energy technologies to not only reduce operational expenses but also contribute to environmental sustainability. By embracing solar power, companies can mitigate their carbon footprint, enhance energy reliability, and ultimately drive positive change in their communities. Industries such as SARAS are laying the cornerstones for environmental stewardship and responsible business practices. They also help Nepal in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
SECF is a challenge fund mechanism promoted by the Government of Nepal through Alternative Energy Promotion Centre with technical assistance from the Nepal Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) and financial support from the UK in Nepal. The GBI window of SECF incentivizes energy generation from Renewable Energy (RE) sources by providing support of Rupees 1.50 per unit for 5 years.
Join the Solar Revolution Today! Apply to SECF