The Hyderabad Metro Rail is on track to become fully ‘green’ and a third of the energy requirement will be generated from solar power.
Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of the second CII GreenPro Summit on Tuesday, L & T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (L&TMRHL) Project Director M. P. Naidu said, “The Metro is on course for full ‘green’ (certification). By the time we commission everything, we want it to be 100 per cent green.”
While the daily power requirement is 3 MW, Mr. Naidu said, in the long term, a third of this – 1 MW – will be taken from solar power. Plans are afoot to use land parcels in Miyapur and Nagole for the purpose.
“We have 100 acres in Miyapur and another 100 acres in Nagole. We are trying to ensure that we make 1 MW when we fully develop our solar systems. A third of our requirements will be met by this,” he said. The intention is to use this power in peak hours so that there is a reduction in operational cost.
Mr. Naidu said four metro stations – Nagole, Uppal, NGRI and Miyapur – have solar panels installed. As much as 40% of power requirement is used from this system. Solar panels are being installed in depots as well.
The L&TMRHL is also mulling wind energy. However, a nod from the government is required. “We are also thinking of external assessment. There is a lot of wind power available at cheaper rate. You are able to get that, the government has to approve it. It is the only way to reduce our operating cost,” Mr. Naidu said.
