The Chennai Metro Rail Company has prepared a detailed report for the project of setting up solar power plants and using this solar power generated to operate the Metro Electric trains.
Presently, Metro Rail services are available in 2 corridorsm\ in Chennai Metro City – from WIMCO Nagar Workshop to Airport and from Chennai Central Railway Station to St. Thomas Mount (Parangimalai).
Chennai Railway Station and Alandur Railway Stations link both these corridors.
There are 40 Railway Stations in these 2 corridors. Out of these, 20 stations are underground and 20 stations are on the ground.
In this situation, the electric power required for the operation of the Chennai Metro Trains is being procured from the TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company). Further, the Chennai Metro Rail Company has also undertaken the project to set up solar power stations wherever feasible in the Chennai Metro Stations, Workshops, and offices.
With these solar power plants, 5 to 6 Megawatts of electrical energy will be generated.
In this situation, Chennai Metro Rail has planned to conduct a detailed survey on where solar panels can be set up in the stations.
Accordingly, 20 locations in Chennai Metro City have been identified including Koyambedu, Koyambedu Bus Terminal, Ashok Pillar. Alandur, Kathipara, Saidapet, and Mannadi.
As above, Chennai Metro Rail Company has undertaken a detailed survey to make a report on the feasibility of setting up solar power stations wherever possible!