The Railway buildings and stations are all set to function using solar power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, announced the Ministry of Railways. Addressing the issue, Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy and Mines announced this in Lok Sabha.

        He also announced that the Ministry has planned to harness 1000 MW of solar power through developer mode through land based plants across the country.

• The Minister further stated that Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Railways for cooperation in the areas of renewable energy.

• MNRE has sanctioned/approved subsidy/incentives for aggregate 500 MWp capacity to Ministry of Railways with as estimated Central Financial Assistance of Rs. 600 Crore for Grid connected solar rooftop systems. MNRE has not made any State-wise allocation under the 500 MW project sanctioned to Indian Railways, the Minister added.

• The objectives include part of the Green Port Initiative, contributing to reduction in carbon emissions and consequently improving environment, Reduction of cost of power purchased from grid by utilization of solar power for power generation and meeting with Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) as mandated by State Governments.