The cement and construction materials sector, while vital to economic growth and development, is one of the most energy intensive industries in the world.
Research shows that cement production alone accounts for approximately 7 to 8% of the world’s total annual carbon emissions. To put that into perspective, if the entire cement industry was a country, it would only be surpassed by China, the USA and India in terms of carbon emissions.
While various industry players are taking steps to reduce carbon emissions, these initiatives require time to scale up. This makes more immediate action essential.
One practical solution is harnessing solar energy to generate electricity on-site. But how does on-site solar translate into savings and plant performance?
In the next section, we’ll explore how solar energy helps participants in the cement and construction sectors to reduce carbon emissions while enhancing savings.
Solar energy is particularly useful for such operations as it aligns with their daytime load profile, allowing a high share of generation to be self-consumed and to offset grid kilowatt hours immediately. By securing a fixed daytime tariff under a no-CAPEX PPA, plants can lower operating costs while reducing exposure to future price swings.
Electricity prices fluctuate with fuel costs and currency movements which can quickly erode business margins. Solar energy helps companies buffer against these changes as it allows companies to generate their own electricity at a predictable cost.
However, concerns about investment and long payback periods often deters companies from exploring solar energy. TotalEnergies ENEOS removes this barrier through its no-CAPEX solution, enabling businesses to adopt on-site solar as a fully managed service.
It funds, builds, owns and operates the system throughout the contract term, allowing businesses to enjoy the cost savings and stability of solar power without the financial burden of ownership or the operational complexity of maintenance.
Electricity is a major operating expense for cement and construction materials companies, and controlling it is key to protecting margins. TotalEnergies ENEOS’ solar power solution offers a simpler, smarter way to manage these costs through a fixed-rate model that converts volatile grid prices into predictable, long-term savings.
Under this model, TotalEnergies ENEOS installs and operates the solar system on the customer’s site while retaining ownership throughout the contract term. Energy generated is metered in real time and supplied directly to the facility’s internal network, offsetting part of its daytime grid consumption.
The business then pays only for the actual kilowatt hours produced by the system, based on the agreed tariff in the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). This ensures that the cost of electricity remains stable and predictable throughout the contract term, shielding the company from fluctuations in grid tariffs or fuel costs.
With no capital expenditure required, the arrangement functions much like a utility service that allows a company to enjoy savings from the first month of operation.
Reliability is critical for businesses in the cement and construction materials sector, where any downtime can disrupt production and affect output.
With TotalEnergies ENEOS’ no-CAPEX solar solution, all operations and maintenance (O&M) responsibilities are fully managed by the provider for the entire contract term. This includes routine inspections, performance monitoring, cleaning, component replacement and system optimisation. All of which ensures that a company’s solar system continues to operate safely and efficiently.
The result? Consistent, worry-free solar generation that delivers ongoing savings without adding to internal workload or maintenance budgets.
TotalEnergies ENEOS designs each system to match the site’s specific layout and load profile, ensuring maximum energy capture and minimal operational disruption.
Prior to installation, TotalEnergies ENEOS’ team will conduct a thorough structural assessment to ensure that a company’s roofs can safely support the additional load. After that, engineers ensure panels are positioned to maximise sun exposure while maintaining access for cleaning and maintenance.
As dust accumulation is a common consideration in cement environments, TotalEnergies ENEOS solar systems are designed for ease of maintenance to ensure operational efficiency. Because the installation takes place above existing operations, it does not disrupt production activities, making rooftop systems a practical and efficient starting point for any facility.
Beyond producing renewable power, carports enhance the working environment by reducing heat exposure for staff and protecting company vehicles from direct sunlight and rain.
They are also highly visible to visitors and stakeholders, serving as a tangible symbol of a company’s commitment to sustainability. TotalEnergies ENEOS customises each carport design to fit available space, optimise generation, and maintain safe vehicle circulation around the site.
These installations can achieve higher capacity than rooftop systems, as they are not limited by roof area or load-bearing constraints. Panels can be arranged at optimal tilt angles and spacing to maximise solar yield throughout the year, improving overall system efficiency.
TotalEnergies ENEOS carefully evaluates land conditions, including soil type, shading, dust exposure and access routes, to determine the most suitable layout. Systems are strategically positioned to avoid interference with haul roads, stockpile areas and material movement, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
Ground-mounted installations are especially effective for facilities planning long-term energy independence or those looking to expand solar capacity over time.
Fortunately, with solar energy, companies can achieve all three, namely; lowering electricity costs, stabilising long-term tariffs and reducing carbon emissions.
With TotalEnergies ENEOS’ no-CAPEX solar solution, companies can make this transition without diverting funds from core operations or adding new technical responsibilities. By paying only for the energy produced, businesses gain predictable savings from the first bill while improving their environmental performance and strengthening their competitive edge.
Whether installed on rooftops, as carport canopies or on adjacent land, on-site solar transforms unused space into a lasting source of economic and environmental value. For an industry built on reliability and efficiency, it represents a smart step toward a cleaner, more cost-effective future.
Ready to take the next step?
Learn more about how TotalEnergies ENEOS can help your business achieve a brighter, more sustainable future.