Mumbai, Aug. 27 -- Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has reached a major green energy milestone with a total installed solar capacity of 42.1 megawatt-peak (MWp) as of July 2026, reflecting the expansion of its solarisation initiative since 2011. The zone commissioned 23.7 MWp between January and July 2026, the highest addition among the zonal railways of Indian Railways during that period. The progress forms part of NFR's broader commitment to sustainable operations and energy self-reliance.
Lumding Division, including the Guwahati portion, accounts for the largest cumulative installation at 17.7 MWp, followed by Rangiya Division with nine point six MWp. Alipurduar, Katihar and Tinsukia Divisions have also contributed to the overall capacity through rooftop and ground-mounted systems. NFR has a further nine MWp of projects under various stages of implementation across several divisions.
Solar generation in the financial year 2025-26 reached approximately 11.4 million (mn) units, yielding savings of about Rs 86 mn. This represents an increase of 90 per cent in generation and 95.45 per cent in financial savings compared with 2024-25, when roughly six million (mn) units were produced, resulting in savings of around Rs 44 mn. The substantial rise in output and cost reduction highlights ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions and optimise energy expenditure.
The railway authority indicated that continued expansion of solar capacity will support long-term economic benefits and greater energy efficiency while contributing to Indian Railways' vision of net-zero carbon emissions. The programme is described as delivering operational advantages and reinforcing resilience in energy supply for railway functions across the northeast. Further additions planned in key divisions are expected to augment renewable capacity and strengthen sustainable transport objectives. Monitoring and maintenance of installations are being prioritised to sustain generation performance and maximise returns.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.