Delhi Metro to install solar plant at Kalindi Kunj depot

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will install a 3MWp (Mega Watt peak) solar power plant on top of an elevated stabling line of Kalindi Kunj depot,

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will install a 3MWp (Mega Watt peak) solar power plant on top of an elevated stabling line of Kalindi Kunj depot, the first-ever such shed built on the train network.

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“The work on the stabling shed will be completed in around six months and then the solar plant will be installed on top of the shed,” a statement released by the DMRC read.

Delhi Metro has so f ar installed solar power facilities in three depots — Yamuna Bank, Ajronda and Mukundpur. Work is in progress for installing more such plants in other depots.

The plant will cater to trains operating on the Janakpuri West–Botanical Garden corridor, construction of which is underway.

“A specialised agency was roped into assess the feasibility of installing such a solar plant since Delhi Metro had not undertaken such a project before. Based on their report, a decision has been taken to install a 3MWp plant there. The cost of installing this solar plant will be borne by the developer, as is the case with all DMRC plants, and Delhi Metro shall pay for the energy charges at the rate of Rs 5.4945 per unit, as levellised tariff for 25 years,” it read.

As per the plan, the plant will be set up on the frames of the stabling lines and will also serve the dual purpose of being the roof of the facility.

At present, the largest solar power plant on an individual roof is the stabling shed of Yamuna Bank Depot, with a capacity of 624 KWp, DMRC said.

Delhi Metro has so far commissioned 6.3 MWp of solar power plants across 21 locations in its network.

By March next year, it would have commissioned solar power plants with capacity of about 20 MWp and by March 2018, it will generate 31 MWp of solar power.

As per its solar policy, DMRC plans to generate 50 MWp of solar power by the year 2021.

On the Kalindi Kunj depot’s construction, DMRC said it was a “major engineering achievement” as for the first-time ever, anywhere in Delhi Metro, an elevated shed was being built due to paucity of space.

(with PTI inputs)