Northeast Frontier Railway targets to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2030

Guwahati: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NF Railway) is steadily progressing to achieve the target of net zero carbon emission by the year 2030.

In an endeavour to further minimise the dependence on fossil fuels, the NF Railway is adopting various steps to generate more and more green energy by installing roof-top solar power plants in its service buildings and other installations under its jurisdiction.

To meet the energy demand through renewable energy, the NF Railway has generated 1.45 million units of energy from renewable sources which has resulted in saving approximately Rs 97.9 lakh between April and June 2024.

For non-traction energy consumption on account of improved power factor, and rebate on timely payment, among others, the NF Railway has also saved approximately Rs 66.7 lakh between April and June 2024.

Under the ‘Go-Green’ mission, solar rooftop panels installed at various railway stations and other service buildings under the jurisdiction of the NF Railway have generated a cumulative 6,764 Kilo Watt Peak (kWp) power till June this year.

The total solar rooftop panels in Assam's Rangia, Lumding and Tinsukia divisions have an installed capacity of 610 kWp, 381 kWp and 1,066 kWp of solar power respectively for their use.

The headquarters complex of the NF Railway at Guwahati's Maligaon and the Guwahati sub-divisional unit have a combined installed capacity of 1,497 kWp. The two workshops at Assam’s New Bongaigaon and Dibrugarh have installed a capacity of 1,000 kWp each.

A total of 24 railway stations and other field office buildings of Assam and Tripura under the jurisdiction of the NF Railway have been fitted with solar rooftop panels which have generated 642 kWp between April and June 2024.

Major railway stations like Udaipur of Lumding division, and Bamunigaon, Azara, Gohpur, Barpeta Road, Dudhnoi and Krishnai, among others of the Rangia division were fitted with the solar panels.

Moreover, as many as 2,100 BLDC fans that use brushless motors instead of standard induction motors have been installed across the NF Railway's jurisdiction between April and June 2024, which has resulted in savings of 32 watts per ceiling fan.

These initiatives resulted in savings of 67,200 watts and approximately 806 units of energy consumption.

The NF Railway plans to install solar plants on all feasible railway station buildings, service and office buildings, residential buildings and LC gates.

The NF Railway is committed to maximising the use of solar energy to meet its energy requirements. This will help in meeting day to day power needs of the railway stations and other service buildings. Apart from being environment friendly, this leads to the savings of precious expenditure for the Railways and foreign exchange of the country.