Indian Railways is making a steady shift toward solar power, with Rajasthan emerging as the frontrunner. Rajasthan hosts 275 railway stations equipped with solar power plants, the highest number in the country. Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared this update in the Lok Sabha on April 2, 2025.
A total of 2249 railway stations now have solar installations nationally, with Maharashtra (270) and West Bengal (237) following closely behind. This effort is part of Indian Railways’ broader mission to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030.
The solar transition is aligned with national goals. In FY 2024–25 alone, 25 GW of renewable capacity was added across India, of which 6 GW came from solar, pushing the total installed solar capacity to 21 GW by March 31, 2025.
Indian Railways aims to meet its entire power demand through renewables—a mix of solar and wind energy—by signing long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with independent power producers. A major portion of solar deployment is being done through the developer mode under these PPAs.
So far, 209 MW of solar power capacity has been installed across stations and railway service buildings. The Railways also plan to install up to 20 GW of solar plants by 2030 using vacant railway land.
Despite progress, issues such as regulatory constraints, power evacuation, and connectivity have delayed implementation in some areas. Indian Railways has been actively coordinating with State Governments and Transmission Utilities to resolve these hurdles.
The move not only ensures long-term cost savings but also highlights Indian Railways’ commitment to environmental sustainability, making it a key player in India’s renewable energy transition.
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