CMRL to generate 2.77 cr units of power per year in Phase 2

In Phase II, the CMRL has estimated that the three corridors together have the potential to generate solar power to the tune of 27.78 gigawatt per hour or 2.77 crore units per year.

According to the detailed project report (DPR) of Phase II, the rooftop of corridors, sheds andbuildings of elevated stations are proposed to be used for solar photovoltaic installation to optimise the solar energy potential.

Out of the 128 stations proposed -- Madhavaram to SIPCOT (Siruseri), Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur -- 80 are elevated stations and the rest are underground. The DPR proposes to set up three depots at Madhavaram, SIPCOT and Poonamallee. “Based on the solar radiation intensity in Chennai, the peak solar power generation of Chennai Metro Phase II is expected to be about 50 kWp for the elevated stations and about 2000 kWp for maintenance depot,” it said.

A CMRL official said that the cost of electricity is a significant part of the operation and maintenance expense. “We would be able to significantly reduce itthrough rooftop solar power generation,” the official said.

For solar energy harnessing system, CMRL official said that they would sublet the rooftop to the project developer responsible for solar PV installation. “The power would be purchased by CMRL on the basis of theunit rate specified by Power PurchaseAgreement (PPA). This is the model adopted in Phase I of the project as well,” the official noted.

In the Phase I, the Metro rail has so far installed solar plants with a capacity of 4.1 MW, and work on 2.5 MW is under progress.