L&T Hyderabad Metro plans captive solar plants of 8 MWp capacity.

L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd. (L&TMRHL) is planning captive solar plants with a capacity of approximately 8 mega watt peak (MWp) in Metro depots and on station rooftops.

The company expects solar units to meet 15 per cent of the total electrical consumption.

As on date, 3 MWp has been commissioned and another 1 MWp is ready for commissioning.

DVS Raju, Chief Electrical Inspector to Government of India (CEIG) for Hyderabad Metro Rail Project, inspected the 1 MWp solar installation at HMR-Uppal Depot and related 0.54/33 KV power evacuation sub-station.

This plant has been developed on RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model by Ampsolar Generation Private Ltd., through a power purchase agreement with L&T MRHL.

Upon successful inspection and grant of sanction from the CEIG, the operational solar plant capacity in Hyderabad Metro Rail premises at Uppal Depot will be 4 MWp. This is expected to generate approximately 18,000 units energy per day and shall form 8 per cent of the total energy demand.

DVS Raju said, “It is a great initiative to tap renewable potential to reduce carbon footprint.”

KVB Reddy, MD and CEO, L&TMRHL, said, “This shall be a milestone in achieving sustainability objectives of the project. Installation activities on other sites are in full swing and the Metro is expected to achieve 8 MWp capacity of solar installation by the end of the year. With this solar plant commissioning, both Uppal and Miyapur depots shall become power surplus.”

The Metro is implementing an elevated network of rails across three dense corridors. About 66-km will be fully operational by the fourth quarter of this year, barring the Old City link.

HBL