SCoR Vijayawada division enhances green energy with 4,864 kWp solar installation

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

The South Coast Railway (SCoR), Vijayawada division, has installed solar capacity of about 4,864 kWp by erecting 265 rooftop and standalone installations.

Of the total installations, 2,978 kWp capacity solar panels were installed at railway stations, 1,476 kWp at service buildings and offices, 120 kWp at staff quarters and 290 kWp capacity panels were installed at 70 level crossing gates, said Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Mohit Sonakiya.

In 2025-26, the solar energy installations generated 44,06,903 units of clean energy, saving nearly ₹4.61 crore and avoiding 2,525.52 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

During the current financial year, from April to July, Vijayawada division has generated 19,90,741 units and saved ₹1.85 crore. Nearly 1,592 tonnes of CO2 emissions were avoided, the DRM said.

Vijayawada division has completely switched to LED lighting, installed solar water heaters with a combined capacity of 56,700 litres per day at all hospitals, railway rest houses and running rooms in the division.

Overall, 81 solar powered street lights and signal installations were commissioned in Electric Traction Training Centre (ETTC), children’s parks, and the railway hospital, Mr. Mohit Sonakiya said.

The Vijayawada railway station has been awarded IGBC Platinum certification for sustainable, eco-friendly design, along with Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIVP) rooftop solar panels installed across its platforms.

Ten railway stations, including Dwarapudi, Kadiyam, Madhuranagar, Sarpavaram, Uppaluru, Ulavapadu, Kavutaram, Nidamanuru, Moturu, and Pedana, have achieved Net-Zero ‘Shunya Plus’ energy-neutral status by generating surplus solar power.

Head-On Generation (HOG) train operations reduced HSD oil consumption by 1,07,757 litres in 2025-26, cutting carbon emissions by 15,832 .703 tonnes and saving an estimated ₹70.80 crore annually in diesel costs, the DRM added.

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.