In yet another major push towards the adoption of renewable energy sources for the operation of the Delhi Metro, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is now inviting bids for the supply of 500 Million Units (MUs) of renewable energy every year.
DMRC has always been committed to providing a clean, green, and hassle-free public transport facility to its commuters. To meet a significant portion of its existing power demand, DMRC is already taking approximately 350 MUs annually from Rewa Solar Park and generating 40 MUs annually from Rooftop Solar Plants installed on the roofs of stations, depots, and staff colonies of DMRC.
The present Renewable energy penetration in DMRC is about 33 percent of the total power usage during the operational hours and nearly 65 percent during daytime Metro operations.
The Delhi Metro is inviting bids to select a ‘Solar Power Developer’ for setting up a Grid connected Captive Generating plant along with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) anywhere in India to supply 500 MUs of renewable energy every year to DMRC in Delhi and NCR. This is a step in supporting India’s transition towards a cleaner and more resilient energy future.
DMRC’s primary objective of calling the bid for more Renewable Energy (RE) power is to increase the share of RE power in its power portfolio from the current 33% to greater than 60% of its total energy requirement (including Phase-IV network expansion). With this initiative, DMRC will become the first Metro rail project in India to avail greater than 60% Renewable power for its transition towards sustainable and low-carbon operations.
The stipulated completion period of the project shall be 15 months from the date of award, and the Power Purchase Agreement period will be of 25 years. The bid process shall be implemented as per approved government norms. This is an effort by DMRC to contribute towards the Government of India’s proposed five-fold strategy of “Panchamrit”, which comprises five climate action goals announced at COP 26.
