Adani Green Becomes World's First Renewable Energy IPP to Achieve Water Positivity
- Adani Green became the world’s first renewable energy IPP to achieve water positivity across its entire 14+ GW operational portfolio.
- The company achieved this milestone a year ahead of its FY26 target, with certification by global assurance firm Intertek.
- Over 546 million litres of water saved annually through robotic cleaning, 85 revitalized ponds benefiting 1.23 lakh people, and water replenishment equivalent to 467 Olympic-sized pools.
In a milestone achievement that raises the bar for worldwide sustainability, Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL), India's largest renewable energy company, has emerged as the world's first Independent Power Producer (IPP) in the renewable energy industry to attain water positivity over its entire operational portfolio of over 14 GW.
This achievement, verified by international assurance company Intertek, has been attained a year in advance of AGEL's FY26 target and is the first amongst the top 10 renewable energy companies in the world (by operational capacity) to do so. The certification took place after a thorough audit and evaluation of water accounting at 103 operating locations and 85 water conservation locations.
Water.-ness is one of the key indicators of sustainability and describes an organization's contribution of more fresh water to the ecosystem than it extracts from the ecosystem for its operations. AGEL's achievement is particularly noteworthy for an industry that is mainly operating in deserts. Most of AGEL's wind and solar power plants are situated in some of India's most arid landscapes, including Khavda in Gujarat and the Thar desert in Rajasthan, where water is a precious commodity.
AGEL's water conservation efforts have collectively saved and replenished 467 Olympic-sized swimming pools' worth of water a quantity enough to cater to half-yearly water needs of Lakshadweep islands. More than 85 rejuvenated water bodies are now serving over 1.23 lakh individuals in water-scarce communities.
One key driver of this success has been AGEL's early embracement of cutting-edge technologies. Over 54% of its solar power capacity currently employs robotic, waterless cleaning systems for solar modules, conserving water by an estimated 546 million litres a year. Other initiatives involve rainwater collection, reviving traditional water bodies, and pilot schemes such as atmospheric water generators that extract drinking water from humid air.
AGEL's journey towards water positivity was initiated as an ESG aspiration to make 200 MW of its portfolio water positive. The same was attained in FY23 itself, encouraging AGEL to aggressively target increasing the aspiration to its entire operating portfolio by FY26 — an objective now surpassed ahead of target.
"We don't merely produce green energy. We construct it the greenest way possible", a spokesperson at AGEL replied. "India is one of the nations with the most pressing water security issues. Our success is more than mere compliance it's a template for how clean energy can be generated without draining natural water resources".
The certification is one aspect of a larger commitment to sustainability by AGEL, which has already attained the designation of single-use plastic-free and zero waste-to-landfill in all its operations. The accomplishment further consolidates AGEL's leadership in combining climate-positive approaches with scalable infrastructure expansion.
Experts point out that with climate change, urbanization, and population growth putting a further strain on water resources worldwide, corporate initiatives in water conservation and replenishment will become essential. AGEL's success story shows that with vision, innovation, and accountability, industrial development and conservation of the environment are possible hand in hand.
This achievement is not only a company success but a valuable addition to India's overall sustainability objectives. It represents a paradigm shift for how renewable energy firms can transcend carbon neutrality and adopt comprehensive environmental responsibility. AGEL's water-positive venture establishes a new gold standard for the world's renewable energy industry one in which green energy not only cleanses the air but actually supports a blue planet.
