KOCHI: Kochi Metro Rail Limited has signed an agreement to generate 4 megawatt solar power from 22 stations and the coach maintenance yard at Muttom. The power purchase agreement was signed between KMRL and Hero Solar (P) Ltd on Tuesday. This is the first 4 MW renewable energy service company (RESCO) model project in the state. The first 1MW will be functional by October 2. KMRL will purchase solar power at a cost of Rs. 5.51 per unit for the next 25 years which is the lowest rate for solar power being purchased by any Metro project in the country.
In Phase I, solar power will be generated from 22 stations and Muttom yard. Solar panels will be erected on the rooftops of all stations and buildings in the yard. The installation capacity of the rooftop project is 4 MW. The rooftop project is being implemented through RESCO model, where the vendor would invest - nearly Rs.27 crores - and do the operation and maintenance. KMRL will buy the power from the vendor.
As per the agreement, the work should be completed in 9 months. KMRL has received financial assistance of 15 per cent of the project cost of Rs. 4.8 crore from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) "KMRL is also planning to use another 40,000 square metre area in Muttom yard for generating solar energy," said Elias George, MD, KMRL.
The agreement was signed between Rajendran. A.R, general manager (RS&E) KMRL and Shriprakash Rai, general manager (Business), M/s Hero Solar (P) ltd. KMRL MD Elias George, Anoop Gupta, director (Electrical) Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Praveen Goyal, director (Systems) KMRL were also present on the occasion.
