Question : ENERGY CONSERVATION IN RAILWAYS

(a) whether the Railways have taken any initiatives to harness green energy resources and implementation of energy conservation measures;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the present generation and requirement of wind and solar energy by the Railways across the country, zone-wise;

(c) whether the Railways propose to enhance the generation of wind and solar energy in the country;

(d) if so, whether the Railways have sought private participation in this regard; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Railways in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) Yes, Madam. Indian Railways (IR) have issued guidelines from time to time to harness wind and solar energy. Guidelines are also issued for implementation of various energy conservation measures.

(b) Indian Railways (IR) have installed solar and windmill plants of about 20 Mega Watt (MW) capacity. To reduce dependence on fossil fuel, it is intended to source solar and wind power progressively.

(c) to (e) Indian Railways propose to set up 1000 Mega Watt (MW) solar plants by developers and about 157.5 MW of wind plants in JV mode on Railway/private land and on roof top of Railway buildings at their own cost with subsidy/viability gap funding support of Ministry of Non-Renewable Energy (MNRE) in next five years.