On Monday, The National Capital Regional Transport Corporation (NCRTC) announced that 2.21 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar power is generated from the panel installed in substations, depots and stations along with the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut (RRTS) Regional Rapid Transit System corridor,  saving up to 2,300 tons of CO2 emissions annually. This initiative goes with the NCRTC target to achieve 11 MW of solar power capacity, preserving 11,500 tons of CO2 emissions each year, a major step against climate challenges. Moreover, a 34 km section of the corridor is operational and includes eight stations, with the full completion of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor anticipated by June 2025.

According to officials, the  NCRTC has installed solar panels on stations, depots, and substations along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor which generates 2.21 MW peak (MWp) of solar power in-house, saving 2,300 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Solar power plants at the Guldhar and Sahibabad RRTS stations are operational and each station has a capacity of producing 729 kilowatts of power. They are also operational at the Duhai Depot (585 kWp) and Duhai Depot station (108 kWp). The Murad Naga (RSS) generates 43 kWp, and the Ghaziabad RSS generates 20 kWp of solar power respectively. Installations are also ongoing at other stations.

NCRTC targets to achieve 11 MW of solar power and predicts that it will save around 11,500 tons of CO2 emissions each year. These major steps will fight against climate change. The initiatives align with its solar policy settled in March 2021 and aim to accelerate the use of renewable energy by generating more than 11 MW of solar power at its facilities.

The solar installation in Guldhar and Sahibabad stations, each holding 1,620 high-efficiency solar panels, shows the NCRTC’s dedication to sustainability. Around 10 lakh units of electricity are predicted to be generated from this installation. These stations produce  more power than required, making them “Carbon Negative.”

Presently, a 34 km section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor is operational which includes eight stations: Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot, Murad Nagar, Modi Nagar South, and Modi Nagar North. The construction is ongoing in the remaining parts of the corridor. The NCRTC expects to complete the projects by June 2025.

Since solar energy is in demand in the country, an initiative like this will have a positive impact on the environment.  sustainable development in the transportation sectors and setting an example to adopt RE for other sectors. This move creates job opportunities and transitions towards clean technologies.

Sources

Our perspective 

We find these initiatives are good for the country’s growth, every state must take this initiative as an example and try to implement it. Thus it is a positive step towards sustainable development in the country.