Indian Railways increase solar power! Sravanabelagola will become Karnataka

The Southwestern Railway Zone of Indian Railways is taking huge steps towards becoming a ‘Green Railway’ network. In this regard, Shravanabelagola railway station may be the first carbon-neutral station in Karnataka to meet 100 per cent energy requirements through solar energy, Southwestern Railway Financial Express Online has confirmed. According to Zonal Railway, 7.9 kWp solar panels have been installed at Shravanabelagola railway station. The plant was commissioned on 6 January. It is currently operating in ‘off-grid’ mode and in 3 to 6 months, it will be synchronized with the grid. 24 solar panels have been installed at the railway station.

According to Southwestern Railway, the solar plant is producing approximately 5 units per day and approval has been obtained from Sescom to synchronize the plant with the grid. It can export about 25 units per day. In addition, a solar tree with a capacity of 1 kW has been installed at the railway station. Also, five HP solar pumps have been introduced at the railway station, Zonal Railway said.

A few days ago, Southwest Railway said it had installed a total of 4656.60 KWp solar panels in major station and service buildings. South Western Railway has supplied solar panels on the roofs of 120 railway stations (SSS covers all major railway stations in the zone including Hubbali, Mysuru, KSR Bangalore, Jashwantpur etc.) as well as seven service buildings (Zonal Headquarters Railway Building, DRM Office) – Hubli, DRM Office – , DRM Office – Mysuru, Railway Hospital – Hubli, Railway Hospital – Bangalore, Parcel Office Bangalore). Also, solar roof top plants have been installed in both SWR (Mysuru Workshop and Hubli Workshop) and both sheds (Hubli EMD Shed and Krishnarajapuram Diesel Shed). Apart from these, 295 level crossing gates have also been provided with solar panels. In 2022-23, SWR aims to install solar panels at 26 more railway stations.