In a significant development for India’s sustainable transportation sector, Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd. has secured its first railway sector solar project – a 2MW solar rooftop installation for the North Eastern Railway (NER) in the Lucknow Division. The announcement, made on March 26, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing transformation of Indian Railways into one of the world’s most environmentally friendly transportation networks.
Contents
- 1 Solar Train in India: Servotech’s Groundbreaking 2MW Project
- 2 How Solar Energy in Indian Railways is Changing the Game
- 3 Inside the North Eastern Railway Solar Project: Technical Details and Benefits
- 4 Renewable Energy in Indian Railways: Current Progress and Future Goals
- 5 Expanding Railway Solar Capacity: Division-wise Implementation
- 6 The Road to Net-Zero: Indian Railways’ Sustainability Vision
- 7 Conclusion: The Future of Solar-Powered Railways in India
Solar Train in India: Servotech’s Groundbreaking 2MW Project
The development of solar train in India represents one of the most significant shifts in the country’s transportation infrastructure. While the term “solar train” might conjure images of carriages covered in solar panels, the reality is even more practical – a network of solar-powered stations and facilities that support the entire railway ecosystem.
“This project isn’t just about installing solar panels,” explains Sarika Bhatia, Director of Servotech. “It’s about reimagining how one of the world’s largest railway networks can operate sustainably. Each megawatt we install brings Indian Railways closer to its net-zero goals.”
The solar train project marks Servotech’s strategic entry into the railway infrastructure sector, demonstrating both the company’s technological capabilities and its commitment to advancing clean energy solutions across diverse sectors.
For passengers traveling through the North Eastern Railway’s Lucknow Division, the impact might not be immediately visible – and that’s by design. The seamless integration of renewable energy into existing operations ensures that the only noticeable difference will be the reduced environmental footprint of their journey.
How Solar Energy in Indian Railways is Changing the Game
The implementation of solar energy in Indian Railways has already resulted in significant cost savings across multiple divisions. This latest project builds upon an impressive foundation of existing solar infrastructure throughout the railway network.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has been particularly progressive in adopting solar technology, with current installations totaling 7,399 kWp across various divisions:
| Division | Solar Capacity (kWp) |
|---|---|
| Lumding | 2,882 |
| Rangiya | 1,146 |
| Katihar | 610 |
| Alipurduar | 441 |
| Tinsukia | 190 |
| Workshops | 2,000 |
| Railway HQ | 130 |
“What makes these numbers remarkable isn’t just their scale,” notes energy analyst Priya Sharma, who has been tracking railway sustainability initiatives. “It’s the speed of implementation. Between April and October 2024 alone, they added 1,277 kWp of solar capacity. That kind of rapid deployment demonstrates serious commitment.”
The solar train concept is rapidly gaining traction as Indian Railways pushes toward its ambitious sustainability goals. With each new installation, the network reduces its dependence on conventional energy sources and strengthens its resilience against power fluctuations and outages.
Inside the North Eastern Railway Solar Project: Technical Details and Benefits
The North Eastern Railway solar project will feature approximately 5,000 solar panels spread across rooftop installations. Each panel will have a capacity of 400W, optimized for the specific climate conditions of the region.
The environmental impact of this single project is substantial:
- Annual CO₂ emission reduction of approximately 2,800 tons
- Equivalent to removing 600 cars from roads each year
- Land requirement of just 1.5 acres, utilizing otherwise unused rooftop space
For railway operations, the benefits extend beyond environmental considerations:
- Enhanced power supply reliability for critical systems
- Reduced dependency on grid power, particularly valuable in regions with unstable supply
- Integration with existing electrical infrastructure, minimizing disruption
- Return on investment period of 5-7 years, after which energy savings represent direct cost reduction
“When we talk about solar projects of this scale, we’re not just discussing environmental benefits,” explains Rajiv Mehta, a renewable energy consultant who has worked with multiple railway divisions. “The operational advantages are equally compelling. Power outages can disrupt signaling systems, communications, and passenger services. Solar installations with proper storage solutions provide crucial backup during grid failures.”
Renewable Energy in Indian Railways: Current Progress and Future Goals
The push for renewable energy in Indian Railways aligns perfectly with India’s broader climate commitments. The railway network has set ambitious targets that go far beyond individual projects like Servotech’s recent win.
Current achievements include:
- Commissioned solar capacity: 487 MW
- Total renewable energy capacity: 2,014 MW
- Network electrification: 97% of broad-gauge network
- Solar installations across more than 8,000 stations
These impressive figures represent just the beginning of Indian Railways’ sustainability journey. The network has established a target of 30 GW of renewable energy by 2029-30, including a planned 1 GW solar power park in Madhya Pradesh.
“What makes Indian Railways’ renewable energy push particularly noteworthy is its comprehensive approach,” says environmental policy researcher Dr. Amit Singh. “They’re not just focusing on one aspect of sustainability. The strategy encompasses everything from train operations to station management to workshop facilities.”
This holistic approach is evident in the Central Railway zone’s implementations, which have resulted in cost savings of Rs 46.2 million, with the Mumbai division alone accounting for Rs 26.6 million in savings.
Expanding Railway Solar Capacity: Division-wise Implementation
Current railway solar capacity has reached impressive levels, with over 7,399 kWp already implemented across the Northeast Frontier Railway divisions. This expansion continues at a rapid pace, with recent additions demonstrating the accelerating adoption of solar technology:
- Rangiya Division added 672 kWp
- Lumding Division added 545 kWp
- Alipurduar Division added 60 kWp
These additions represent just a fraction of planned expansions. The Northeast Frontier Railway has already floated tenders for an additional 40,411 kWp of solar projects, with 3,935 kWp in immediate development.
“The division-wise implementation strategy is particularly effective,” explains energy infrastructure analyst Vikram Patel. “It allows for customization based on local conditions, available space, and specific energy needs. Some divisions might prioritize station rooftops, while others might focus on workshop facilities or administrative buildings.”
This tailored approach ensures optimal utilization of available resources while maximizing energy generation potential across diverse geographical and operational contexts.
The Road to Net-Zero: Indian Railways’ Sustainability Vision
Indian Railways has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030, a goal that requires comprehensive transformation of its energy infrastructure. The strategy involves a diverse energy mix:
- 10 GW of traction energy from various renewable sources
- 95% electric train operations by 2025-26
- Projected emission reduction of 1.37 million tonnes annually
“When we consider that Indian Railways operates over 22,000 trains daily, carrying 23 million passengers and 3 million tonnes of freight, the scale of this sustainability commitment becomes clear,” notes transportation policy expert Neha Gupta. “This isn’t just about environmental responsibility—it’s about reimagining one of the world’s largest transportation networks for a sustainable future.”
The current progress is encouraging:
- Solar energy production: 238 MW
- Wind energy capacity: 103 MW
- Solar-powered stations: More than 1,950
Servotech’s 2MW project for the North Eastern Railway represents an important piece of this larger puzzle, contributing to the network’s steady progress toward its sustainability goals.
Conclusion: The Future of Solar-Powered Railways in India
As Servotech begins work on its 2MW installation for the North Eastern Railway, the project stands as a testament to the transformative potential of renewable energy in transportation infrastructure. The solar train in India is no longer a futuristic concept but an evolving reality.
For passengers, the benefits might not be immediately visible, but they are substantial nonetheless: cleaner air, reduced carbon footprint, and more resilient railway operations. For Indian Railways, the advantages extend to operational efficiency, cost savings, and progress toward ambitious sustainability goals.
The journey toward fully sustainable railway operations continues, with each new solar installation bringing the network closer to its net-zero vision. As Sarika Bhatia of Servotech noted during the project announcement, “This is just the beginning of our contribution to Indian Railways’ green transformation. We’re proud to play a role in this historic shift toward sustainable transportation.”
What are your thoughts on Indian Railways’ solar initiatives? Have you noticed solar panels during your railway journeys? Share your experiences in the comments below.
