The solar plants are likely to generate about 1,51,200 units per month and help CMRL in saving nearly Rs 69.49 lakhs every year
In order to promote the use of renewable energy, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL), the rapid transit system, has commissioned solar rooftop power plants at its two elevated metro stations at St Thomas Mount and Alandur and on the ground level at Koyambedu. The total capacity of the solar plants would be 1120 KW.
The plants are likely to generate about 1,51,200 units per month. This would help CMRL in saving nearly Rs 69.49 lakhs every year, CMRL said in a statement.
Commissioned under zero capital investment
These new solar plant projects were commissioned by CMRL under zero capital investment and based on RESCO Model under the scheme of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), on the basis of monthly tariff payment.
Earlier, CMRL launched solar plants at metro station and depot in Koyambedu.
Currently, the overall installed capacity is 3 MW of roof top solar power of CMRL. In addition, 4.6 MW capacity of rooftop solar power project is under progress. The project is likely to be completed by this year end, as per the statement.
Cost Savings
Recently, a consultancy firm has been appointed by CMRL for initiating processes of procuring electricity from several sources of renewable energy such as solar and wind, at competitive rates by way of open access. This would help the rapid transit in saving around Rs 1 crore per year.
The department, at that time, said that such moves are required for operational services till Metro station at Washermanpet, which requires power to the tune of 20 MVA, for traction as well as non-traction applications.
In the month of October, CMRL installed a 410 kWp solar panel plant on ground and roof of Koyambedu Metro Rail Depot. Currently, the plant is generating 55,350 units a month, thus helping in saving around Rs 14.5 lakh every year.
