CERE Partners with BNP Paribas to Solarise ACTREC, Driving Sustainable Cancer Research

MUMBAI, India, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On the occasion of World Cancer Day, the Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE) in collaboration with BNP Paribas India, 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, 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. INR 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 rooftop 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 free electricity every month. This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of the 'Suryodaya Yojana' which focuses on promoting rooftop solar installations.

The ACTREC solarisation project exemplifies BNP Paribas' commitment to advancing green energy solutions while empowering charitable institutions to reduce operational costs and reinvest savings into their core missions.

About BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas India started its operations in 1860 to support local and global corporate and financial institutions in their growth and expansion strategies. We are the second oldest foreign bank in the country, offering a rich and broad suite of solutions across the entire range of corporate and institutional banking, financing, investment banking, hedging and equity and derivatives.

BNP Paribas has six branches in India, located in Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, the recently inaugurated GIFT City branch – our International Banking Unit (IBU) and operations global delivery centres in Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai.

About Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE)

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.

CERE's flagship initiatives include Urban Afforestation Project (UAP), Switch on Solar (SoS), Water Conservation & Rainwater Harvesting, Carbon Map & Cap and Environmental Education.

About Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ACTREC)

Tata Memorial Centre is an autonomous grant-in-aid institution under Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India. Tata Memorial Centre is registered on 28th of June 1988 under the Bombay public Trust Act, 1950 and registered on 22nd April 1988 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and has been established initially in 1941.

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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