Delhi Metro Claims To Be World’s First “Completely Green” Urban Rail Network
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Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), one of the largest in the world, recently declared itself as the world’s first ‘completely green’ urban rail networks.
DMRC obtained a platinum rating from the Indian Green Building Council after it was awarded platinum rating for 10 residential colonies. This was a shot in the arm of Delhi’s leading public transport service, as it already sources a good amount of electricity from solar power projects and is on-track to increase it further.
DMRC’s electricity consumption is expected to reach 300 megawatts over the next five years as its continues to expand into Delhi’s satellite cities. It currently has 17 megawatts of rooftop solar power capacity installed atop some of the stations; this capacity is expected to increase to 20 megawatts in three months. Eventually, DMRC will have 50 megawatts of rooftop solar power capacity in the next five years.
Additionally, it has also signed a power purchase agreement with Rewa solar power park. 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.
DMRC has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to advance the development of solar power projects. This also opens the possibility of SECI holding auctions for rooftop and utility-scale solar power projects on DMRC’s behalf.
Following the success of Delhi Metro as an effective public transportation system, several cities across India have launched their own urban rail projects. Most of these networks are also emulating the green practices of Delhi Metro. Chennai Metro recently gave an order for the implementation of 6 megawatts of rooftop solar power systems from CleanMax Solar. Similarly, Kochi Metro will install rooftop solar power systems atop all 22 stations and coachyards. Kochi Metro aims to meet a quarter of its electricity needs from solar power.
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