The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (Maha-Metro) Pune Metro project is making significant strides in its commitment to sustainability and renewable energy. In a noteworthy achievement, the project has successfully generated 9,837 kilowatts (kW) of electricity from solar panels installed at operational metro stations. This accomplishment aligns with Maha-Metro’s larger goal of harnessing 9 megawatts (MW) of solar energy from stations and integrated workshop buildings at Range Hills Depot and Vanaz Depot by the coming year.
The progress of this green initiative has been promising, with the solar panels at all operational metro stations functioning efficiently. While some stations already have panels in place, work to install solar panels at the remaining stations is ongoing.
Currently, the Pune Metro has two operational routes: PCMC to Civil Court (Line 1) and Vanaz to Ruby Hall Clinic (Line 2). These routes play a pivotal role in the generation of solar power, with both contributing significantly to the overall energy production.
From the first operational line, Line 1, the Pune Metro generates 4,430.55 kW of power from stations such as PCMC, Sant Tukaramnagar, Bhosari, Kasarwadi, Phugewadi, Shivajinagar, and Range Hills. On the second operational line, Line 2, a substantial 5,406.58 kW of power is generated from stations including Vanaz, Anandnagar, Ideal Colony, Nal Stop, and Garware.
In addition to the power generated from stations, an integrated workshop building at Range Hills Depot also contributes to the green initiative. Here, a 750 kW solar unit has been installed, generating an impressive 2,800 units of electricity. Furthermore, the Vanaz metro depot is set to become operational in the near future, expanding the project’s solar energy capacity.
Maha-Metro has set ambitious targets for solar energy generation, with a planned capacity of 9 MW. According to metro officials, 5 MW of this capacity is expected to be operational by November 2023, with the remaining 4 MW following suit by February 2024.
The environmental benefits of this initiative are complemented by substantial cost savings. The solar power generation has resulted in a daily reduction of ₹85,000 in electricity costs, amounting to an impressive monthly savings of roughly ₹25.5 lakh. These savings not only contribute to the project’s economic efficiency but also demonstrate the positive impact of sustainable energy solutions.
The Pune Metro’s successful foray into solar energy generation not only enhances its environmental credentials but also serves as a model for other urban transport initiatives looking to reduce their carbon footprint and operating costs through renewable energy sources.
