Vizag becomes first energy efficient rail station in division

Visakhapatnam: Waltair Railway Division took initiative for energy efficiency measures. Visakhapatnam railway station of East Coast Railway has earned the unique distinction of being the first energy efficient ‘A1 Category’ railway station in the division.

The station has achieved 100 per cent energy efficiency by replacing conventional lights with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, among other steps. The measures would save about Rs 3.17 lakh per annum with reduction of the connected load for railways, said Divisional Railway Manager Mukul Saran Mathur.

As part of energy conservation measures, 1,000 KWp On-Grid power from rooftop solar photo voltaic systems were installed on four service buildings i.e., on Electric Loco Shed, Diesel Loco Shed, Divisional Railway Hospital and on Divisional Railway Manager’s office. The Solar Grid-Power commissioned under Public Private Partnership model, including operation and maintenance of the systems for a period of 25 years. The project cost is about Rs 8 crore.

As many as 3,360 solar panels have been provided for the generation of one mega watt power by utilising an area of 16,250 square metres vacant space of rooftops of the four service buildings. As many as 3,600 units per day is generated from the Solar PV module which will save an amount of Rs 22.55 lakhs per annum.