Mumbai, Sept. 4 -- The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has signed a power purchase agreement with NIRL NCRTC Renewables Limited (NNRL) for the development of a 110 megawatt (MW) captive solar power plant to supply the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. The plant is intended to meet a significant share of the corridor's electricity needs and establish captive renewable supply for mass transit.
The agreement was finalised in the presence of senior officials from NCRTC and NLC India Renewables Ltd and follows detailed planning for integration with the corridor's traction and station loads. The project will be sited in Jaulan, Uttar Pradesh, and is being structured on an 80:20 debt equity model with an estimated investment of around Rs 4.5 bn.
Commissioning is scheduled within the next 24 months and the plant will be developed as a captive facility to supply traction power and associated station services for the corridor. Once operational, the plant is projected to meet nearly 60 per cent of the corridor's electricity requirement and reduce reliance on grid purchases.
NCRTC has estimated that the renewable initiative could lower annual electricity expenditure by around 25 per cent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 0.177 mn t of CO2 a year. The design and procurement will focus on technologies and grid interfaces that support operational reliability and the specific load profile of commuter rail services.
The signing marks a step towards scaling renewable energy within urban transport infrastructure as authorities seek to decarbonise mass transit and improve cost predictability. The project timeline and funding model aim to balance upfront investment with long term operational savings while enabling a replicable model for other corridors.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.