Central Railway Installs First Floating Solar Plant

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Central Railway installed a 10 MWp floating solar plant in Igatpuri lake, Western Ghats.

An Overview of the News

• This is the first floating solar plant initiative by Indian Railways.

• The plant is part of efforts to leverage renewable energy sources, including solar and wind energy.

• Goal: Zero carbon emission by 2030.

Additional Solar Plants:

• Commissioned 12.05-MWp solar plants on station rooftops and buildings.

• 4-MWp solar plants installed last year.

• Saved Rs 4.62 crore in 2023-24 and reduced carbon footprint by 6,594.81 MT.

• Plans to install an additional 7-MWp solar plant in the current year.

Current Renewable Energy Usage:

• Utilising 56.4 MW of wind energy and 61 MW of solar energy.

• Agreements for 325 MW of solar and wind energy on a "round-the-clock" basis.

• Expecting an additional 180 MW of solar and 50 MW of wind power this financial year.

Environmental Impact:

• Equivalent to saving 2.5 lakh trees.

• 70% of traction energy expected to be green after full commissioning of renewable sources.

Power Consumption:

• Present monthly power consumption: 236.92 million units for traction and 9.7 million units for non-traction work.

Energy Efficiency Awards:

• Bureau of Energy Efficiency awarded "Shunya-Plus" label to five buildings and "Shunya" label to two buildings of Central Railway.

• Labels indicate efforts towards creating Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) and Net Positive Energy Buildings (NPEBs).

• Reflects commitment to environmental conservation.