New Delhi: Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corrirdor will be powered by a 110 MW captive solar plant, which is expected to meet nearly 60% of the corridor’s electricity requirement. National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has signed a power purchase with NIRL NCRTC Renewables Limited (NNRL) for the solar plant.
Power generated at the plant will be supplied through Uttar Pradesh state grid to the receiving substations of NCRTC located in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, from where it will be distributed across the corridor. “The project leverages the Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy to promote the use of renewable energy.
Under the arrangement, NCRTC will procure electricity generated from the captive solar power plant at a fixed tariff for a period of 25 years, ensuring predictable energy costs over the long term. It is scheduled to be commissioned within the next 24 months,” said officials. By replacing a substantial share of conventionally generated electricity with clean solar power, it is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1.8 lakh tonnes annually.
“The captive solar project is expected to reduce annual electricity expenditure by around 25% while contributing towards a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said an official of NCRTC, which implements the Namo Bharat project. “The initiative is expected to reduce emissions of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide (SO₂), contributing to cleaner air and supporting sustainable urban mobility in the region,” said the officials. Apart from financial benefits, the project is also expected to deliver significant environmental gains.