CHENNAI: As part of the Railways’ efforts to get green ratings and increase solar energy production, the Southern Railway began works to set up rooftop solar power panels in Chennai Central and Egmore.
The work is going on in full swing and is expected to get completed in a few months. However, railway officials are yet to reveal the per unit cost spent to generate solar energy, compared to conventional power from fossil fuels. “All platforms, including Moore Market Complex, have been provided with LED lights. A portion of the station’s power requirement will be tapped through solar panel in another two months,” said a senior railway officials.
As part of railways mission to increase the green power generation up to 50 MW for 2017, the SR has been tasked to generate 4 MW during the first phase. The project is proposed to be carried out at the cost of `32 crore through the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
In the event of fall in prices of power tapped through solar plants compared to conventional power sources, the Railways would buy the plants from the company, sources added. Initially, solar power plants were proposed at Chennai, Salem and Tiruchy.
Green rating
The move is also aimed at getting green ratings from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). Chennai Central has been chosen as one of the five stations for getting the green ratings. A proposal on solid waste management and sustainable utilisation of resources has been submitted