Solar, wind energy for Panvel-Roha rly stations

Solar and wind power may soon light up Central Railway stations on the outskirts of Mumbai. The CR administration is planning to set up solar panels and windmills on the land close to the stations.

Solar and wind power may soon light up Central Railway stations on the outskirts of Mumbai. The CR administration is planning to set up solar panels and windmills on the land close to the stations.

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This would be started on the outskirts of Navi Mumbai on the Panvel-Roha section, which lacks continuous power supply due to 3 hours of power cuts daily.

There are around six railway stations on this stretch, which are industrial belts. The solar panels and windmills would supply power to platforms, canteens, food stalls, signaling systems, announcement system and railway buildings.

“There is enough space to set up solar panels and windmills close to the stations. It would be cost-effective in the long run,” said a CR official.

With the rising cost of fuel and coal, the railways are looking at other power sources. The suburban rail section consumes 300 Megawatt of power daily.

The cost of setting up a solar panel and generating 1-Megawatt of power is around Rs15 crore while the same process would cost Rs6 crore for wind energy.