Piyush Goyal launches Railways first set of solar plants

NewDelhi Oct 28: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal yesterday has launched the railways first set of solar plants with a total capacity of 5-megawatt peak (MWp).The minister launched the plants at the inauguration of the 'International Conference on Green Initiatives and Railway Electrification'.

Speaking at the conference he said that "We are working in a time-bound manner to skillfully and effectively transform the Indian Railways into a world-class transporter. We shall be able to accomplish 100 percent electrification at lower prices with an incentive-cum-penalty scheme.All payments of the railways will be done within a span of 30 days".

The solar plants have been launched by the railways to the carbon footprint.Officials have said that "the plants on the roof tops of Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi, Anand Vihar and Delhi railway stations will generate 76.5 lakh units of solar power per year, and shall meet about 30 percent of the energy requirement of these stations."

Sources said that Railways is planning to commission 1,000 MWp solar plants across its network under the national solar mission.