Vijayawada Railway Division Ramps Up Solar Power
Vijayawada Railway Division’s solar capacity has reached 4,864 kWp across 265 installations, supporting Indian Railways’ Net Zero Carbon goal.
The Vijayawada Division of South Coast Railway has intensified its renewable-energy initiatives, with its installed solar capacity reaching 4,864 kWp across 265 rooftop and standalone installations, supporting Indian Railways’ goal of becoming a Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030.
Marking Indian Akshay Urja Diwas on Thursday, the Division highlighted the gains from its clean-energy initiatives in power generation, financial savings and carbon-emission reduction. Of its total solar capacity, 2,978 kWp has been installed at railway stations, 1,476 kWp at service buildings and offices, 120 kWp at staff quarters and 290 kWp at 70 level-crossing gates.
The Division generated 44,06,903 units of clean energy in 2025-26, saving ₹461.40 lakh and avoiding 3,525.52 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Between April and July 2026, it generated 19,90,741 units, saving ₹185.54 lakh and preventing 1,592.59 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
Vijayawada Railway Station has secured IGBC Platinum certification for sustainable design and has 610-kWp Building-Integrated Photovoltaic rooftop solar panels across its platforms. Ten stations have become Net-Zero “Shunya Plus” energy-neutral stations, generating surplus solar power. Together, they generated 1,72,777 units and saved ₹17.12 lakh in 2025-26.
The Division has switched completely to LED lighting and installed solar water heaters with a combined capacity of 56,700 litres per day at running rooms, rest houses and hospitals. It has also commissioned 81 solar-powered street lights and signal installations.
Head-On Generation train operations helped cut HSD oil consumption by 1,07,757 litres in 2025-26, reducing carbon emissions by 15,832.703 tonnes and yielding estimated annual diesel savings of ₹70.80 crore.
Other environmental measures include biogas plants, 3,688 bio-toilets across 960 coaches, Sewage and Effluent Treatment Plants and 252 rainwater-harvesting pits.
Divisional Railway Manager Mohit Sonakiya said every unit of clean energy generated and every measure reducing the carbon footprint contributed to Indian Railways’ Net Zero vision. He said the Division remained committed to renewable-energy adoption and energy efficiency to build a greener and future-ready railway.