Having put in place measures aimed at energy conservation, the Golden Rock Railway Workshop here has now planned to tap solar power to cut down its electricity bills to some extent.
The workshop authorities have proposed to install a 12-kilowatt solar power plant on the premises to meet the power requirements of a portion of the building housing the office of the Chief Workshop Manager.
The workshop carries out periodic overhauling of diesel locomotives and passenger coaches, besides manufacturing container wagons.
Solar panels are to be installed atop the office of the Chief Workshop Manager.
The Railway workshop, which was adjudged the most energy efficient establishment last year among 47 railway workshops situated across the country, would spend ₹ 11 lakh to harness solar energy.
It already has a one-kilowatt solar plant that was erected as a pilot project earlier to power the chamber of the Chief Workshop Manager.
The workshop has drawn up the blueprint for the proposed 12-kilowatt solar plant project, which is targeted for commissioning before June, said a senior workshop official.
The workshop has also planned to tap solar power to pump water from the ground level reservoir to the overhead water tanks.
Long term plan
The official said the long-term plan was to install a 500-kilowatt solar plant — a project that was being processed by the Railway Board, New Delhi.
As a conservation measure, the sprawling facility has switched over to energy-efficient LED lights. Nearly 70% of the lights fitted at various places within the establishment are energy-efficient, with the remaining 30% to be completed before March.
The workshop hopes to achieve substantial savings in its power bill by harnessing solar power.
