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Central Railway commissions innovative 10 MWp floating solar plant and expands renewable energy initiatives to achieve carbon zero by 2030, saving millions and reducing carbon footprints.
Key Points
- Central Railway has commissioned a 10 MWp floating solar plant in Igatpuri Lake.
- Installation of 12.05-MWp solar plants on rooftops, with 4-MWp added last year.
- Significant savings of Rs 4.62 crore in 2023-24 and reduction of 6,594.81 MT carbon footprints.
- Agreements for utilizing 325 MW of solar and wind energy, with additional 180 MW solar and 50 MW wind power expected.
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency awarded “Shunya-Plus” and “Shunya” labels to several Central Railway buildings.
- Anticipated 70 percent of traction energy to be green post commissioning of new renewable energy sources.
In a significant stride towards achieving zero carbon emissions by 2030, the Central Railway has commissioned an array of renewable energy projects, including a pioneering 10 MWp floating solar plant in Igatpuri Lake. This first-of-its-kind initiative by Indian Railways is a testament to the Central Railway’s commitment to leveraging renewable energy sources and contributing to a greener planet.
Senior officials highlighted the railway’s comprehensive approach to sustainability, which includes the installation of 12.05-MWp solar plants on the rooftops of railway stations and buildings. Notably, 4-MWp of these solar plants were added in the last year alone. The initiative has resulted in substantial savings, including Rs 4.62 crore in 2023-24, and a reduction of 6,594.81 metric tons of carbon footprints.
The term “MWp” stands for Megawatt Peak, a measure of the maximum potential output of power. The Central Railway’s ambitious plans include the installation of an additional 7-MWp solar plant within the current year.
Moving towards renewable energy, the Central Railway is currently tapping into 56.4 MW of wind energy and 61 MW of solar energy. Agreements have been signed to utilize 325 MW of solar and wind energy on a “round-the-clock” basis, with an additional 180 MW of solar and 50 MW of wind power expected to be integrated within the current financial year.
These initiatives are equivalent to saving approximately 2.5 lakh trees, underscoring the significant environmental benefits of these measures. The Central Railway’s current monthly power consumption stands at 236.92 million units for traction work and 9.7 million units for non-traction work. With the commissioning of the new renewable energy sources, it is anticipated that 70 percent of traction energy will soon be green.
Further cementing its dedication to sustainability, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency has awarded the “Shunya-Plus” label to five Central Railway buildings and the “Shunya” label to two buildings. These labels signify net-positive and net-zero energy buildings, respectively, reflecting the Central Railway’s efforts towards energy efficiency and environmental conservation.
“In an effort to encourage building owners and promoters to make energy-efficient buildings and further make improvements towards net-zero or net-positive energy buildings, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency has introduced a labelling programme called Shunya for Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) and Shunya Plus for Net Positive Energy Buildings (NPEBs). The awarding of these levels shows the dedicated efforts put in by the Central Railway towards the conservation of the environment,” a senior railway official stated.
The floating solar plant at Igatpuri Lake, nestled in the Western Ghats, represents a landmark achievement in renewable energy. This innovative project, along with the extensive solar and wind energy initiatives, positions the Central Railway at the forefront of India’s green energy transition, setting a benchmark for sustainable practices in the railway sector.
