Kolkata,
South Eastern Railway has been taking different initiatives to promote Energy Conservation measures and laying emphasis on use of alternative sources of energy. As a part of its environment friendly measures, stress is being given on installation of Solar Plants to harness clean energy, use of LED lights to save electricity and introduction of Head On Generation (HOG) system in train operations.
As a part of its endeavour towards clean and green energy, South Eastern Railway has been laying stress on use of Solar Power to meet its energy consumption requirements. To save conventional energy, SER is taking different initiatives to switch over to non conventional sources in phases. Till now in SER, altogether 2.306 MWp Solar Plant has been installed on the roof top of Headquarters, Garden Reach and four Divisions viz. Kharagpur, Adra, Chakradharpur and Ranchi. Work is also under process for installation of another 18.94 MWp capacity roof top solar plant in SER jurisdiction. In addition, 500 acre of vacant land along railway track as well as settlements in SER jurisdiction has been identified for installation of 201 MWp capacity of solar plant. Consuming Solar Energy as alternative source of energy, SER has saved an amount of Rs. 33.6 lakh in 2019-20 and Rs. 39 lakh in the year 2020-21 from regular energy bill.
S E Railway has also replaced conventional light fittings by energy efficient LED lights in all the 363 stations over its jurisdiction and other railway establishments. This has resulted in savings of 13 MU of electricity during 2019-20 and 2020-21.
As a part of green initiative and with a view to improve energy efficiency, SER has also introduced Head On Generation (HOG) system in train operation, whereby electrical power is fed to the coaches directly from the Over Head Equipment (OHE) through electric locomotive for functioning of Coach AC, Fan, lighting etc. In SE Railway till date, total 38 trains are moving on HOG system which has helped to reduce fuel cost and carbon emission.
