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Indian Railways has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 170 MW of solar power with the Madhya Pradesh government, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced at the Global Investors Summit in Bhopal on Monday. The agreement, inked for a period of 25 years, marks a significant step in the national transporter’s efforts to transition towards green energy sources.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the deal secures solar power at an industry-low rate of ₹2.15/kWh. The power will be supplied by Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Limited (RUMSL) from its solar parks in Agar, Shajapur, and Neemuch districts in Madhya Pradesh.
While solar energy remains a key component of Indian Railways’ renewable strategy, wind power has also emerged as a crucial pillar in its decarbonization efforts. The ministry highlighted that Indian Railways has already secured 3,427 MW of installed wind capacity, supplementing its 4,260 MW of installed solar power, to meet its growing traction energy needs.
Vaishnaw urged states to collaborate in supplying renewable energy—whether solar, wind, hydro, or nuclear—to Indian Railways. “By 2030, our traction power requirement is projected to reach 10,000 MW. We are ensuring that this energy is sourced from green alternatives,” he stated.
As part of its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, Indian Railways has secured a total of 1,500 MW of renewable energy through various agreements. In addition to setting up its own solar and wind installations, it is actively procuring green energy through long-term PPAs with developers.
With full electrification of the rail network expected by FY26, Indian Railways is now intensifying its focus on ensuring that the electricity powering its operations is sourced sustainably, further advancing India’s clean energy transition.
