Suresh Prabhu launches green energy initiatives

Stepping up green initiatives, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today launched two environment-friendly measures - a 26 MW wind mill plant at Jaisalmer and "head on generation system" in Mumbai Rajdhani.Dedicating the 26 MW wind mill plant at Jaisalmer to the nation, Prabhu said there is a need to protect our environment, promoting sustainable development and reducing dependence on fossil fuel while rationalising the cost of fuel bills.He said after salary and pension, Railways incur major expenditure on energy. Our aim is to reduce the energy cost substantially and promote the use of clean energy. Wind energy is clean energy, Prabhu said. The wind mill plant has been set up by Railway Energy Management Company Ltd (REMCL), a Joint Venture of Indian Railways and RITES Ltd at an estimated cost of Rs 160 crore. The plant is expected to generate over 50 million units of electricity per annum. The electricity generated from this plant will be utilised for powering three traction substations - Bharatpur, Hindaun and Ramganj Mandi in Bharatpur-Kota Section of Delhi-Mumbai trunk route of West Central Railway, which will now be the first Railway Green Corridor. Prabhu said Railways have taken several initiatives to harness wind and solar energy in a big way so as to provide environmental-friendly and pollution free mode of transport.While flagging off the HoG system in Mumbai-Rajdhani, Prabhu said the system will reduce power cost by more than Rs 1 crore annually. In HoG system, power supply for train lighting and air-conditioning in coaches is taken from over head power lines, instead of power taken from two power cars attached at both end of the AC train. The HoG system prevents use of diesel generators in power cars and also noise pollution. On an average 3000 litres of fuel is consumed in round trip from New Delhi to Mumbai and back.Railways plan to switch over to the HoG system gradually in other Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains. Highlighting the need for energy conservation, he said Railways is planning to source 1000 MW solar power in next 3-4 years. As per the plan the roof top and vacant land based solar power plants, wind power plants, solar based water heating systems, solar coolers and solar street lights at various locations will be installed.