The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has called on Gujarat’s Finance and Energy Minister, Kanu Desai, to help industrialists to use 100 per cent of their electricity from self-generated renewable energy projects. The Chamber stated to stay competitive in the global market it is crucial for Gujarat’s textile manufacturers to lower electricity costs to meet sustainability requirements.
In a memorandum presented to the minister in Gandhinagar, SGCCI emphasised how renewable energy could reduce operational costs, benefiting the textile sector. Chamber President Vijay Mewawala and other key members highlighted that the Green Energy Open Access Rules, introduced by the central government in 2022 and adopted by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) in 2024, offer a 30 per cent energy banking limit for renewable projects. However, a recent order from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) restricts energy banking to just 30 per cent of total electricity consumption from state DISCOMs, limiting the potential of renewable energy.
With global demand for sustainably produced goods on the rise, Gujarat’s textile industry, particularly in Surat, fears it may not meet European export standards that require 100 per cent green energy. The SGCCI urges policy adjustments to help local businesses remain competitive.
