Delhi Metro system signs solar deal

The Delhi metro system moved a step closer to being 100 per cent powered by solar energy after signing an agreement with India’s main solar company.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) signed the new deal with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to source electricity from solar power projects.

The DMRC is aiming to secure low-cost electricity over several years to ensure energy efficiency and financial sustainability.

The DMRC will source about 1,000 million kWh of electricity from ground-mounted solar power projects every year as part of the deal and a project of 500 MW capacity will be commissioned over the next 3 years.

SECI will manage the process of tendering and finalising the developers and the DMRC will agree power purchase deal with the developer.

The DMRC currently buys power from utility firms in Delhi at high tariff rates.

The Corporation has already built several rooftop solar power projects at its stations and the programme is expected to be expanded to more stations.