Delhi Metro Eyes 100% Solar Dream
Amit Thussu: 31st September 2015
The
Delhi based Hindustan Times recently reported that Delhi Metro is looking
to meet its entire electricity needs using solar power.
As per
a senior Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official, the metro is interested
in buying solar electricity from a project developer rather than putting up one
by itself. DMRC is currently buying electricity at ₹6.94 (~$0.11)
per kilowatt hour.
DMRC is
the biggest consumer of electricity in the Indian state of Delhi. Its
traction system is completely electricity driven, and in addition, electricity
is required for signalling, communication, air-conditioning, and lighting,
amongst other things.
As of
now, Delhi metro has a peak power requirement of 150 MW which is
expected to shoot up to 250 MW by the time the third phase
goes operational. Over the past five years, power prices in Delhi
have increased at the rate of 20 percent per annum; solar power can help the
company to free itself from future price rise.
The
report mentions that the metro might be looking at a solar plant of 500
MW installed capacity, possibly in the neighbouring state of Rajasthan.
DMRC
has also been focusing on solar rooftops in a big way. Currently it operates a 1.2 MW solar rooftop capacity
system, with the metro is hoping to implement a few more pilots before
rolling it out on a large scale to cover all stations and yards on the
network.
A GIZ
supported study estimates a network-wide potential of about 52 MW solar
rooftop capacity.
The
rooftop projects are being commissioned and operated under the RESCO —
REnewable Energy Services COmpany — model where the Delhi Metro provides the
site for the project while the developer takes care of capital cost and
project operation and maintenance. The utility-scale plant will also be
developed under a similar model, and is expected to entail an initial
investment of ₹30 billion (~$500 million).
Check out this presentation for an overview of several initiatives
taken by Delhi metro for its sustainable growth.
Meanwhile Indian
Railways has been experimenting with solar powered coaches, and have got promising results.
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