What is RE100? Benefits, Indian Leaders & How to Join?

What is RE100?

RE100 (Renewable Energy 100%) is a global initiative led by the Climate Group and CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) to unite businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity.

Launched in 2014, it now includes 400+ companies across 175 markets, from startups to Fortune 500 giants like Apple, Google, and Infosys.

What are the key features?

• Goal: Transition corporate energy use to 100% renewables by 2050 (or earlier).

• Scope: Covers all electricity used in operations, including offices, factories, and data centers.

• Reporting: Members must disclose annual progress publicly.

 

Why RE100 Matters for Businesses?

Renewable energy 100 isn’t just a sustainability badge—it’s a strategic business decision with far-reaching financial, operational, and reputational benefits.

Here’s why businesses worldwide, from startups to Fortune 500 giants, are racing to join this global initiative:

 

1. Cost Savings & Energy Independence

• Rising Energy Costs

Electricity prices have surged globally, with businesses facing 7–15% annual hikes in grid tariffs. Renewable energy, however, offers stable, predictable costs:

• Solar and wind power costs have significantly reduced.
• Below are the links to the reports on how Apple, Infosys, and Google achieved several cost benefits, such as reduced carbon emissions, increased energy efficiency, etc.

         Apple:  https://shorturl.at/EKFmA

        Google: https://shorturl.at/IsFtm

        Infosys: https://shorturl.at/RzDp1

 

• Energy Security

• Avoid grid failures, fuel shortages, and price volatility.
• In 2021, IKEA launched a program to promote 100% renewable energy in Poland, China, and India.  In 2023, due to suitable markets, it expanded into Germany, Lithuania, Italy, etc.

 

2. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Stricter Carbon Laws

• EU Carbon Border Tax: Imposes fees on imports from high-emission industries.
• India’s Carbon Credit Scheme: Penalizes companies exceeding emission limits.

 

RE100 members stay ahead of regulations, avoiding fines and securing incentives like tax rebates.

• Supply Chain Pressures

• Corporate Giants Demand Sustainability: Walmart, Amazon, and Unilever require suppliers to adopt renewables.
• Example: Apple mandates its 200+ suppliers to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030.

 

3. Investor & Shareholder Pressure

• ESG Investing Boom

• According to Bloomberg Intelligence, global ESG (environmental, social, and governance) represents a significant portion of the total assets under management. 
• Funds like BlackRock and Vanguard prioritize companies with strong sustainability credentials.

• Credibility Marker

• RE100 members are more likely to attract ESG-focused investors.
• In 2021, Microsoft launched a “100/100/0 clean energy goal” in which the company pledged to power 100% of its electricity consumption, 100% of the time, with zero-carbon energy purchases by 2030, along with the prior commitment to powering 100% of its data centers and facilities globally with renewable energy by 2025.

4. Customer Demand & Brand Reputation

• Eco-Conscious Consumers

• Global consumers prefer brands committed to sustainability.
• Example: Patagonia’s “Earth First” ethos boosted sales by 30% post-100% renewable energy commitment.

• Competitive Differentiation

• Renewable Energy 100 members dominate “green rankings” like CDP’s A-List and Corporate Knights’ Global 100.
• Unilever credits its commitment for a 50% rise in brand loyalty.

5. Operational Resilience & Innovation

• Future-Proofing Operations

• Renewables shield businesses from fossil fuel price spikes (e.g., 2022’s energy crisis).
• Tesla’s Gigafactories run on solar/wind, cutting energy costs by 60%.

• Driving Innovation

• Green Hydrogen: Tata Steel uses hydrogen to decarbonize steel production.

• AI-Powered Grids: Google employs AI to optimize renewable energy use in data centers.

 

Top 5 Benefits of Joining RE100

Joining this initiative offers businesses a strategic advantage in today’s competitive and sustainability-driven market. 

Here are the key benefits of becoming a member:

• Lower Energy Costs

Switching to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power helps businesses reduce reliance on expensive grid electricity, leading to long-term savings on energy bills.

• Government Incentives

Members can access subsidies, tax rebates, and accelerated depreciation benefits offered by governments to encourage the adoption of renewable energy.

• Enhanced Brand Reputation

Commitment to 100% renewable energy strengthens a company’s image as an eco-conscious leader, attracting environmentally aware customers and partners.

• Energy Security

Renewable energy systems provide a stable and reliable power supply, reducing vulnerability to grid failures or fossil fuel price fluctuations.

• Investor and Stakeholder Appeal

Membership signals strong environmental stewardship, making businesses more attractive to ESG-focused investors and aligning with global sustainability standards.

Global & Indian RE100 Companies Leading the Green Revolution

 

Global Leaders

• Apple: Achieved 100% renewables for global operations in 2018.

• Google: Runs data centers on 5.5 GW of solar/wind energy.

• IKEA: Installed 1.7 million solar panels across stores worldwide.

 

Indian re100 companies

• Infosys: Targeted 60% renewable energy by 2025 with 125+ cr. of savings annually.
• Tata Motors: Partner with Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. to develop a 12MWp solar project at its Pune manufacturing unit. 

• Dalmia Cement: There are biomass plants in several states in India, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam. 

 

Case Studies: How Indian RE100 Companies Saved Crores

Case 1: Infosys Solar Power Plant

• Challenge: High electricity costs for IT campuses.

• Solution: Installed 46 MW of solar panels across offices.

• Result: 49.92% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions over the BAU scenario.

 

Case 2: Dalmia Cement’s Biomass Shift

• Challenge: Rising coal prices and emissions.

• Solution: Replace coal with agricultural waste (biomass).

• Result: 100% renewable energy in more than 5 states.

 

Case 3: Tata Motors’ Wind Energy Project

• Challenge: Unreliable grid power in Tamil Nadu.
• Solution: Invested in 18 MW wind farms.
• Result: Saves ₹1.8 crore/year with zero downtime.

 

How to Join RE100: A Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses

 

Step 1: Energy Audit

• Use tools like TERI’s Energy Audit Toolkit to assess current consumption.

Step 2: Submit Commitment

• Submit a public pledge to the Climate Group via their portal.

Step 3: Transition Plan

• Set milestones: e.g., “30% solar by 2026, 100% by 2030.”

Step 4: Annual Reporting

• Disclose progress in sustainability reports or CDP disclosures.

 

RE100 in India: Government Support, Challenges & Future Trends

Govt. Support

• Subsidies: 40% for rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar Yojana.
• Policy: The National Solar Mission targets 100 GW of solar capacity for industries.

Challenges

• High Upfront Costs: A 1 MW solar plant costs ₹4–5 crore.
• Grid Integration: Limited infrastructure for renewable storage.

2025 Trends

• Bifacial Solar Panels: 20% more efficient than traditional panels.
• Green Hydrogen: Companies like Reliance are investing in hydrogen-powered factories.

 

Latest RE100 Reports: Key Findings for 2024 & 2025

 

RE100 Annual Report 2024

• A significant number of companies achieved 100% renewable energy globally.
• India is one of the top renewable energy-producing countries. 

Key Stats for 2025

• Indian Members: 50+ companies, including Mahindra and Wipro.
• Sector Growth: The IT, manufacturing, and cement industries are primarily represented.