Solar Power Plant: Central Railways Solar Projects Save Rs 4.6 Cr, Reduce Carbon Footprint by 6,595 Tonnes

Nagpur: Aiming towards the ultimate target of zero carbon emission by 2030, the Central Railway has launched solar power plants with a peak capacity of 12.05 megawatts (MWP) using rooftops of railway stations and buildings. Of these, 4 MWP units were installed last year. “We have always played an active role in selecting clean and renewable energy for traction purposes and have taken various bold and revolutionary steps to fulfill the same,” railway officials said. This has resulted in savings of Rs 4.62 crore in 2023-24 and a reduction in carbon footprint of 6,595 tonnes. These initiatives amount to saving 2.50 lakh trees, railway officials said, adding that a plan to install an additional 7 MWP solar power plant in the current year is underway. According to officials, steps have also been taken to switch to renewable energy. Currently, 56 MW of wind energy and 61 MW of solar energy are used. In addition, power purchase agreements (PPAs) were signed for the use of 325 MW of solar and wind energy on a 24-hour basis. Besides, 180 MW of solar and 50 MW of wind are also likely to happen in the current financial year. Another initiative being undertaken is the installation of a 10 MWP floating solar power plant on Igatpuri Lake, which will be the first of its kind on the Indian Railways. The current monthly energy consumption of the Central Railway is 237 million units for traction operation and 9.7 million units for non-traction operation. Once the above renewable energy sources are launched, it is expected that 70% of traction energy will be ecological energy. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has introduced a labeling program called ‘Shunya’ for Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) and ‘Shunya Plus’ for Net Positive Energy Buildings (NPEB) to encourage building owners and promoters to use buildings energy-saving . Considering the Central Railway’s efforts towards environmental protection, BEE has so far awarded ‘Shunya Plus’ mark to five buildings and ‘Shunya’ mark to two buildings of Central Railway.

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