Delhi Metro Announces New Rooftop Solar Power Projects

With the expansion of its subway network, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is also looking to expand its rooftop solar power portfolio.

One of India’s leading renewable energy project developers – ReNew Power Ventures – recently announced that it has signed a power purchase agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for 6 MW rooftop solar power projects.

The projects will be set up at existing as well as upcoming stations and parking lots. The projects are expected to be commissioned by February 2017. The total power generation from the projects is expected to be more than 8 million kWh, enough to offset over 7,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

DMRC already operates 6.3 MW of rooftop solar power systems at various stations and has signed power purchase agreements for 32 MW of additional capacity. The company plans to have an installed rooftop solar power capacity of 50 MW by 2021.

Recently, DMRC also signed an agreement to purchase electricity generated from the planned 750 MW solar power park in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Power generated from the Rewa-based solar power park will be transmitted to Delhi, around 800 kilometres away.

Delhi Metro has agreed to procure at least 121 million kWh of electricity every year from the first phase. Once all the phases are operational, Delhi Metro may increase procurement to 363 million kWh per year.

Last year, the Indian Ministry of New & Renewable Energy awarded DMRC for being among the leading public sector entities pursuing solar power generation.