Ashis Parida October 30, 2017The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal dedicated 5MW solar power plant on railways to the nation at the inauguration of the International Conference on Green Initiatives & Railway Electrification held in New Delhi on October 27.
This is the largest plant commissioned by Indian Railway in India on the rooftop of railway stations. A 700 kW array at Hazrat Nizamuddin will generate 100,000 kWh/year, and 800 kW at Anand Vihar is also expected to produce 110,000 kWh/year. Whereas, 2.05 MW at New Delhi and 1.5 MW at Old Delhi Railway Station will generate 200,000 kWh and 250,000 kWh per year respectively.
These projects were awarded under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in December 2016 at INR 4.14 ($ 0.064)/kWh, the lowest tariff on Indian Railways at that time.
The entire project costs at INR 374.5 million ($5.78 million) will cover 30% of the energy requirement. The project, developed under Net-Metering scheme, is supported by a PPA covering O&M for 25 years.
The plants will save INR 42.14 million ($650,000) and will also reduce 6,082 Tons of CO2 emission per year.
Green Initiatives & Railway Electrification
The Ministry of Railways organized the conference through Institution of Railways Electrical Engineer (IREE). In the presence of the Minister of State for Communications and Railways, Manoj Sinha, the Member Traction Railway Board & Patron, IREE, Ghanshyam Singh and others.
One of the primary objectives of the conference was to provide solutions for energy efficiency and increase use of Renewable Energy on Indian Railways.
Indian Railways has planned to set up about 1,000 MW of solar and approximately 200 MW of wind power plants by 2020-21 across Zonal Railways & Production Units. So far more than 60 MW of solar & wind power plants have already been installed covering 270 stations & 120 administrative buildings & hospitals.
Further orders for about 150 MW under the PPP model have been placed for solar plants on rooftops of Railway Buildings, which helps to reduce energy costs . Moreover, Railways are also working on setting up 400 MW capacity through various other agencies to source energy in multiple states through land-based solar plants.
Speaking at the occasion, Goyal said, “Indian Railways is working with “will do/can do” spirit, for the Government, development is a positive agenda. Indian Railways by applying economies of scale shall be able to accomplish 100% electrification at lower prices with “an incentive cum penalty” framework scheme.”
“To think is easy, to act is difficult but to act as you think is most difficult. Indian Railways has accepted this most difficult challenge. We will have to change as per the best in the world,” Goyal said.
Source: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/10/30/5-mw-solar-installation-unveiled-on-railway-stations-in-new-delhi/
