Madurai Railway division saves ₹48 crore by harnessing wind energy – EQ Mag Pro

Madurai: Five windmills functioning under Madurai railway division have generated 80.1 million units of power since their commissioning in January 2019, thus helping Southern Railway save Rs48.1 crore.

With focus on harnessing renewable energy, Southern Railway erected five windmills in Kayathar (near Gangai Kondan/Kadambur railway stations) in Tuticorin district under Madurai division. The total capacity of wind mill plants in Southern Railway is 10.5MW each with a capacity of 2.1MW. These were erected at a cost of Rs 72 crore. In 2021-22, the energy harnessed from them was 25.7 million units resulting in a savings of Rs.15.4 crore.

The wind energy produced from these plants is provided to Tangedco which in turn deducts these units from the power purchased by railways for its electric traction. Railways pays Rs 6.3 a unit to Tangedco for the electric traction. The zonal railway is also harnessing solar power through its 192 kWp solar power plants. During 2021-22, they generated 5.473 million units of energy resulting in Rs 2.4 crore of annual savings. The total installed capacity of solar plants in Southern Railway is 5 MWp across six divisions. The cumulative solar energy generated is 14.8 million units which yielded savings to the tune of Rs.6.4crore.

Solar power panels have been installed at various locations/railway stations. What is noteworthy is that Golden Rock workshop at Trichy has designed and installed a solar parabolic concentrator system to generate 5,000 LPD (litres per day) of hot water using solar energy. This water is being used to clean diesel loco components, according to the statement.

Source: PTI