Mumbai, Feb 6, 2025: The Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE) in collaboration with BNP Paribas India has unveiled the successful solarisation of the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), a premier Cancer Unit of the Tata Memorial Centre located in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. This initiative, which is a part of CERE's "Switch on Solar" (SoS) program, marks a significant step toward fostering renewable energy adoption in India's healthcare sector, aligning with the nation’s broader commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
As part of this transformational project, a cumulative 996 kWp captive solar photovoltaic (PV) system will be installed across ACTREC’s facilities in three phases and is projected to save approx Rs 35 crores while offsetting carbon emissions to the tune of 30,900 MTCO2e over the lifespan of the solar PV system.
The system is expected to generate 14,42,000 units of electricity in the first year and is projected to generate 3,44,10,000 units over 25 years. The initiative aims to reduce energy costs, minimise carbon emissions, and promote sustainable operations for one of India’s premier cancer research and treatment institutions.
Hospitals like ACTREC, with their energy-intensive infrastructure, rely heavily on electricity for hi-tech diagnostic equipment, 24-hour treatment and operations, advanced research laboratories, air conditioning and other world class facilities. This solarisation project ensures access to a reliable and clean energy source while significantly mitigating the hospital's carbon footprint. Beyond environmental benefits, the cost savings from reduced electricity expenses will be redirected toward providing free cancer treatment, amplifying ACTREC’s capacity to support patients from marginalised backgrounds.
“At BNP Paribas, we are committed to driving sustainable change through impactful partnerships. The installation of solar panels at ACTREC marks a significant milestone in our collaboration with CERE, reinforcing our shared vision of a Net Zero future. Through the Switch on Solar initiative with CERE, we aim to use our philanthropic grants to enable institutions to reduce their carbon emissions and redirect valuable resources toward expanding their outreach to economically disadvantaged communities. With this initiative, we are proud to contribute to a cleaner environment while enabling a reduction in medical expenses for over 21,000 individuals annually”, said Sanjay Singh, CEO and Head of Territory BNP Paribas.
Dr Rashneh Pardiwala, Founder and Director of CERE, states, “Our Switch on Solar (SoS) initiative aims to assist charitable organisations such as schools and colleges, hospitals, old age homes, rescue centres and other institutions adopt renewal energy through the installation of roof-top solar panels, thus directly helping mitigate climate change. Over the past 6 years we have solar electrified over 50 worthy institutions with the support of CSR funds. By installing solar PV systems at public hospitals and research centres, such as ACTREC, we hope to create successful models of environmental sustainability that can be emulated by establishments across India. In the face of global warming, Switch on Solar (SoS) is the need of the hour as it is perfectly aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities, Goal 13 – Climate Action.”
This collaboration aligns with India’s National Electricity Plan, which targets 50% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources by 2030. India is poised to achieve 500 GW of non fossil fuel-based generation capacity by 2030 and over 600 GW by 2032, supporting the country’s ambitious net-zero emissions goal.
This is also in alignment with the announcement made in the interim Budget 2024 about rolling out a number of green initiatives to provide incentives for solar and wind energy. The most important among them was the rooftop solarisation scheme, under which 10 million households will be enabled to receive up to 300 units of electricity free every month. This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of the ‘Suryodaya Yojana’ which focuses on promoting rooftop solar installations.
BNP Paribas India started its operations in 1860 to support local and global corporate and financial institutions in their growth and expansion strategies.
The Centre for Environmental Research & Education (CERE) is a Mumbai-based not-for-profit organization established in 2002 by Dr (Ms) Rashneh N Pardiwala, an ecologist from the University of Edinburgh and Mrs Kitayun Rustom, an environmental educationist. CERE works to promote environmental sustainability through research and innovation, formal education, government and corporate partnerships and publications.
Tata Memorial Centre is an autonomous grant-in-aid institution under Department of Atomic Energy, Govt of India. ACTREC has its origins in the Indian Cancer Research Centre (ICRC) established in Mumbai under the Ministry of Health in 1952. The institution’s mission is to provide comprehensive cancer care for all and conduct innovative, affordable, and relevant research in cancer treatment.
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