Mahindra Ideal Welipenna plant goes green with addition of 805 kWh solar power

• Initiative coincides with Group’s Founders’ Day

Mahindra Ideal Lanka Founder and Chairman Nalin Welgama

Mahindra Ideal Lanka Ltd. in Welipenna, a subsidiary of the Ideal Group, is set to add a massive 805 kilowatt (kW) solar power to the national grid, on 5 September, commemorating Founders’ Day, the birthday of Nalin Welgama, the company’s Founder and Chairman. 

Notably, this groundbreaking event marks the first time-ever that a company engaged in Sri Lanka’s automotive industry will be adding such immense capacity to the national grid and supporting the country’s renewable energy drive.

Contributing to a greener planet and saving the nation’s resources, the Ideal Group’s subsidiaries including Ideal Motors, Ideal Choice and Ideal First Choice have previously established solar power units at its business locations and already benefit from renewable energy and earth-friendly solutions.

Marking significant progress in the use of renewable energy, the following Ideal locations have installed solar power and contribute to the national grid: 

The Ideal Choice Premium Vehicle Workshop in Ratmalana generates 407 kW with a capital of Rs. 55 m,

Ideal Holdings, Ratmalana office generates 333 kW solar power having invested Rs. 45 m,

• Ideal Motors Main Mahindra workshop at Ratmalana is equipped with a 105 kW from an investment of Rs. 15 m, 
• The Yakkala Ideal Motors showroom and Ideal First Choice workshop operates through a 102 kW solar system having invested Rs. 14 m, 
• The Ideal Motors and Ideal First Choice Showroom workshop at Puttalam has installed a 43 kW system investing Rs. 6 m, 
• The Ratmalana Pre Delivery Inspection and Vehicle Yard workshop generates 40 kW through a capital of Rs. 5 m, and
• The main Ideal showroom in Wellawatte generates 33 kW solar power through an investment of Rs. 5 m. 

All these installations have been completed by Ideal Greentech Ltd., a subsidiary of the Ideal Group, at a cost of Rs. 260 million contributing a monumental over 2 megawatts to the national grid.

Commenting on its sustainability journey, Nalin Welgama stated, “The whole world is now focusing on renewable energy. As Sri Lanka too embraces the potential of renewable energy sources, we at Ideal Group believe it is our national responsibility to focus and contribute towards this national endeavour. Our showrooms and workshops throughout the island generate and use renewable energy and we are extremely proud of achieving a new milestone at our Mahindra Ideal Lanka plant in Welipenna which is set to generate 805 kW.”

Further elaborating, he noted, “At Ideal, sustainability is a way of life and a key measure of our success. Not even the rainwater collected at this factory is wasted. We have installed a waste water treatment plant ensuring all water used in our bays are cleaned and reused. Additionally, through the practice of adapting dynamic green concepts we have activated the planting of seedlings throughout the factory.”

Celebrating 5 September, the Ideal Group will also mark another momentous milestone for the nation and the automotive industry with the launch of the second phase at its Mahindra Ideal Lanka plant in Welipenna. The foundation stone for the new factory catering to Mahindra Truck assembling will be laid by Welgama. Upon competition of the factory, which is scheduled for December 2021, the installation of a massive 500 kW solar power system is also slated to take place.

The Mahindra Ideal Lanka plant in Welipeena, Kalutara was commissioned in 2019 through a partnership between India’s diversified global conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra and the Ideal Group. The state-of-the-art production facility built to global standards assembles the Mahindra KUV 100. 

Today, the Mahindra KUV 100 has gained immense popularity in the country and become the preferred choice for customers. The plant is also set to assemble Mahindra trucks in the future demonstrating the strength of local manufacturing capabilities. 

“At present, across the world, due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, including in Sri Lanka, we as a country face grave challenges. However, despite the nation in lockdown and our workplaces not fully operating to their normal capacities, the required electricity for consumption is generate through our solar power systems and being supplied to the national grid. As Sri Lankan businessman, I take great pride in this contribution and urge other companies and individuals to play a larger role in solar power generation for the country, supporting our nation’s future.”