Delhi Metro’s bid to operate on clean energy

Delhi Metro invites bids for 500 MUs of renewable energy, aiming to exceed 60% renewable power usage, enhancing its commitment to sustainable transport.

Published on: Oct 13, 2025, 04:00:03 IST

By Jasjeev Gandhiok

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In a step towards adopting cleaner energy, Delhi Metro has invited bids for an annual supply of 500 million units (MUs) of renewable energy, officials said on Sunday.

There are 12 operational Metro lines in the region, which include the Rapid Metro in Gurugram, Airport Express Line and Aqua Line (Noida-Greater Noida). (Photo for representation)

This will be in addition to the 350 MUs already being sourced annually from Rewa Solar Park, and the 40 MUs from rooftop solar plants installed at DMRC’s stations, depots, and staff colonies.

Delhi Metro said the process aimed at selecting a ‘solar power developer’ for setting up a grid along with a battery energy storage system (BESS) for this purpose.

“DMRC remains committed to providing a clean, green, and hassle-free transport facility to its commuters,” said Anuj Dayal, principal executive director, corporate communications at DMRC.

Currently, renewable energy accounts for about 33% of DMRC’s total power usage during operational hours. The Metro operator aims to raise the figure to over 60%, including Phase-IV network expansion. “With this initiative, DMRC will become India’s first Metro rail project to source over 60% renewable power for its transition towards sustainable and low-carbon operations,” Dayal said, adding that the stipulated completion period of the project will be 15 months from the date of award, under a power purchase agreement of 25 years.

“The bidding process shall be implemented as per the prescribed norms. This is DMRC’s effort to contribute towards the Government of India’s proposed strategy—Panchamrit—which comprises five climate action goals announced at COP26.”

DMRC operates a 394-km rail network in the National Capital Region, comprising 289 stations. There are 12 operational Metro lines in the region, which include the Rapid Metro in Gurugram, Airport Express Line and Aqua Line (Noida-Greater Noida).

DMRC’s Phase-IV project aims at expanding the network by 103km across six corridors. Three of these — Janakpuri West to RK Ashram (Magenta Line extension), Majlis Park to Maujpur (Pink Line extension), and Aerocity to Tughlakabad (Golden Line) — are already under construction. The Pink Line extension is expected to become operational by the end of the year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jasjeev Gandhiok
Jasjeev Gandhiok is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times, where he covers environment, climate change, the clean energy transition and wildlife at the National Bureau. Gandhiok has over a decade of experience in journalism and is based in Delhi. He has reported extensively on Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This includes the region's air pollution woes, a polluted Yamuna and on urban wildlife still thriving in the region. He joined HT in October 2021. Prior to that, he had five-year stint at The Times of India in Delhi, where he also covered Delhi, with a focus on environment and wildlife. Gandhiok has covered some recent events around the Capital too, ranging from the farmers' protests, the northeast Delhi riots and the CAA-NRC protests, reporting from the ground on all of these. He also travels across the country to report on how environment and climate change impact everyday life, while also writing on endangered species. His reports in 2019 on toxic leachate from Delhi's landfills led to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) taking suo motu cognisance and ultimately asking the state government to start bio-mining to flatten and remove all three landfills in the capital. He also closely tracks the implementation of government policies on climate, renewable energy and environmental protection. His focus remains on impactful, public-interest journalism which explains how environmental decisions affect people's everyday lives.Read More

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