Cost Optimization and Sustainable Energy Management through Open Access Power

Suswajit Mishra • Climate Change, Environmental Impact & Healthcare Sustainability • 16.09.26
Author Affiliations

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India. National Portal for Renewable Energy. Available from: https://mnre.gov.in

Ministry of Power, Government of India. Electricity Act, 2003 and Open Access Regulations. Available from: https://powermin.gov.in

Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). MERC (Distribution Open Access) Regulations. Available from: https://www.merc.gov.in

Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Monthly Executive Summary on Power Sector. New Delhi: Government of India. Available from: https://cea.nic.in

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). Open Access in Inter-State Transmission Regulations. Available from: https://cercind.gov.in

International Energy Agency (IEA). Renewables 2024: Analysis and Forecast to 2030. Paris: International Energy Agency. Available from: https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2024

World Health Organization. Healthy Hospitals, Healthy Planet, Healthy People. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available from: https://www.who.int

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Government of India. Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Healthcare Facilities. Available from: https://beeindia.gov.in

National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). Accreditation Standards for Hospitals (5th Edition). New Delhi: Quality Council of India.

Study Details
Published Sep 2026
Category Climate Change, Environmental Impact & Healthcare Sustainability
Case Study ID NABH-CS-2026-5509

Initiative

Rising electricity costs and dependence on conventional grid power increased operational expenses and carbon emissions. The hospital needed a reliable and sustainable energy solution for uninterrupted 24×7 operations.

Dependence on conventional electricity led to higher energy costs, exposure to tariff increases, and a larger carbon footprint. A sustainable and cost-effective alternative was essential for long-term operational efficiency.

Objectives

To reduce electricity costs and dependence on conventional grid power by implementing Open Access Solar and Wind Power Procurement, achieving approximately 49% renewable energy utilization while reducing carbon emissions and improving ESG performance within the project implementation period of November-2025 to June-2026.

Methodology

Till October-2025 the facility relies entirely on conventional grid power as its sole source of electricity, with energy consumption monitored through a standard utility meter. Electricity bills are reviewed through a manual verification process, which is time-consuming and prone to inefficiencies. There is no renewable energy procurement, limiting opportunities to reduce energy costs and improve sustainability. Additionally, the absence of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) tracking makes it difficult to monitor and report sustainability performance. As a result, the organization continues to experience rising electricity costs, high CO₂ emissions, and complete dependence on the power grid, increasing both operational expenses and environmental impact.

Following the implementation in Nov-25 of the proposed solution, the facility adopted to Open Access Solar and Wind Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), enabling the procurement of clean and cost-effective renewable energy. An ABT (Availability-Based Tariff) meter was installed to facilitate accurate energy accounting and compliance with open access requirements. Energy consumption will be tracked through continuous energy monitoring, providing real-time visibility into usage patterns and enabling data-driven decision-making. The organization started actively procuring renewable energy, significantly improving its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. This transition is expected to reduce electricity costs, lower carbon emissions.

Results and Impact

The project significantly improved the organization’s renewable energy utilization and strengthened its commitment to sustainable operations. Before implementation (April 2025 to October 2025), the facility consumed an average of 211,776 kWh of electricity per month, with 0% green power utilization and no allocation from wind or solar energy sources. Energy requirements were met entirely through conventional power, resulting in higher dependence on non-renewable energy.

Following project implementation (November 2025 to June 2026), a substantial transition towards renewable energy was achieved. During this period, total energy consumption was 1,618,612 kWh, of which 742,001 kWh was sourced through wind and solar energy. The average contribution of green power increased to 46%, with monthly utilization ranging from 26% to 77%. The highest renewable energy usage was recorded in June 2026, when 77% of the total electricity consumed was supplied through green energy sources.

The project successfully demonstrated that renewable energy can be integrated into routine operations without affecting energy availability or performance. By reducing dependence on conventional electricity and increasing the use of clean energy, the initiative is expected to lower the organization’s carbon footprint, support environmental sustainability goals, enhance energy security, and contribute to long-term operational and financial benefits.

Challenges & Critical Success Factors

The project faced several operational, technical, and organizational challenges during implementation. Renewable energy generation from wind and solar sources varied because of seasonal weather conditions, leading to fluctuations in monthly green power availability. Integrating renewable energy with the existing electrical infrastructure required careful planning to ensure uninterrupted power supply for critical hospital operations.

Continuous monitoring of energy consumption, coordination with electricity providers, and timely maintenance were essential to maintain system reliability. Initial stakeholder awareness regarding the environmental and financial benefits of renewable energy also required focused communication and support. Data collection, performance tracking, and periodic review were necessary to optimize renewable energy utilization and address operational issues promptly.

The project’s success was primarily driven by strong leadership commitment, effective planning, and collaboration among hospital management, engineering teams, electricity distribution authorities, and renewable energy providers. Regular monitoring of energy consumption and renewable energy allocation enabled informed decision-making and continuous performance improvement. Reliable infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and systematic analysis of monthly energy trends ensured consistent implementation without affecting hospital services. Stakeholder engagement,

Key Learnings

The project demonstrated that successful renewable energy implementation requires strong stakeholder collaboration, effective planning, and continuous performance monitoring. Early involvement of hospital management, the engineering department, the Open Access vendor, utility authorities, and regulatory agencies facilitated timely approvals and smooth project execution.

Regular communication and coordinated efforts ensured seamless integration of renewable energy into existing hospital operations without disrupting essential services. Continuous monitoring of electricity consumption and renewable energy utilization proved essential for optimizing energy allocation and achieving maximum operational benefits.

Data-driven decision-making enabled timely identification of performance trends, improved system efficiency, and supported sustained cost savings. Periodic performance reviews and preventive maintenance further enhanced the reliability and effectiveness of the renewable energy system.

The project also reinforced the importance of organizational commitment to sustainability. Strong leadership support, systematic evaluation, and continuous improvement created a foundation for long-term success. It can help organizations reduce dependence on conventional electricity, renewable energy