The transportation industry is the major contributor to decarbonizing the country. Moreover, public transportation becoming less reliant on fossil fuels can help in an easy transition. Just as Indian railways can achieve net zero emissions by 2030 by using renewable energy sources to power the extensive network.
According to a statement released by the Indian Railway Board, the industry is working ahead to decarbonize the system. The Railway Board strongly emphasized the unwavering commitment to meet the energy demands of the railway industry, solely through renewable sources. They also highlighted the progress made in various regions.
In the Northeast Frontier Railway zone, several buildings have been converted into green buildings, which is a remarkable achievement. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) acknowledged them with the Shunya Label.
Indian railways have expanded its renewable energy production capacity greatly in the past decade, 2014-2024.
- Solar Energy from 3.68 MW to more than 238 MW
- Wind Energy from 10.5 MW to 103 MW (as of June 2024)
Indian Railways produce a record-breaking 785 electric locomotives by end of january 2023
Moreover, the adoption of renewable energy is not just for train operations but also for the infrastructure. Presently, 1950+ railway stations across India are powered by solar energy.
With continuous increases in budget from the Central Government, the Railways are able to improvise and increase their efforts. The Indian Railway Board is confident that increasing wind and solar energy production will help Indian Railways achieve its net-zero goal along with contributing significantly to environmental conservation efforts.
Source: Indian Railways Powers Ahead In Net Zero Carbon Emissions Drive By 2030