In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) is set to install solar power plants with a total capacity of 21,826 KWP (kilowatt peak). This ambitious initiative aligns with Indian Railways’ broader goal of becoming a Green Transporter by substantially reducing its carbon footprint. The new solar installations are expected to generate savings of approximately Rs 140 million on energy bills and provide an additional Rs 9.1 million from carbon credits.
The project encompasses a wide range of locations within ECoR’s jurisdiction. Solar power plants will be installed across 149 station buildings, 248 service buildings, 6,924 residential buildings, and 366 level crossing gates. This extensive deployment of solar technology aims to harness renewable energy from rooftops and shed tops, significantly enhancing the sustainability of railway operations.
Tenders totaling Rs 830.79 million have been issued to facilitate the installation of these solar power systems. Key areas slated for solar plant installation include the Brahmapur-Palasa Railway Section, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Paradeep-Bhadrak Railway Section, Angul Section, and the headquarters area in Bhubaneswar. Additional installations are planned for the Khurda Road-Puri Section, Paradeep-Kendujhargarh Railway Section, Visakhapatnam area, the Visakhapatnam Electric Loco Shed, and the Kottavalasa-Kirandul Rail Line Section.
Major station and service buildings have already seen significant progress. Notably, the headquarters building and Rail Sadan at Chandrasekharpur have been equipped with rooftop solar power plants, totaling 6,790 KWP. Furthermore, most level crossing gates within the ECoR jurisdiction are now fitted with solar and renewable energy systems.
ECoR’s commitment to green energy is part of a larger effort to increase the generation of renewable energy throughout its operations. By installing solar power systems in various station and service buildings across its network, ECoR is contributing to the Indian Railways’ goal of environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. This initiative not only supports India’s shift towards cleaner energy sources but also demonstrates ECoR’s proactive approach to modernising its infrastructure while minimizing its environmental impact.
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