Rapid Metro Gurgaon partners with Amplus Energy taps into Renewable Energy Sources

by Shrutee K/DNS

April 23: Rapid Metro Gurgaon, in line with the vision of endorsing Green Mobility and Renewable Energy, has gone green by harvesting solar energy. Rapid Metro Gurgaon has installed its own solar panels at the depot near Sec 54 Chowk Rapid Metro Station.  The solar plant was inaugurated in the presence of Mr. Rajiv Banga, MD Rapid Metro Gurgaon and Mr.Sanjeev Aggarwal, MD & CEO Amplus Solar. Project Officer Mr.Rameshwar Singh and Assistant Project Officer Mr.Kuldeep from Haryana Renewable Energy Department (HAREDA) were also present at the inauguration ceremony.

Rapid Metro Gurgaon in partnership with Amplus Energy Solutions has installed solar panels for 25 years. The capacity of the solar plant is 403.155 kWp which will produce pollution free solar energy of 11,839,856 units over system’s lifetime. Through this partnership, Rapid Metro plans to reduce its CO2 emissions by 11,390 MT, which will be equivalent to planting 295,183 trees in India.

One of its kind, 1156 solar panels, over the system’s lifetime, will avoid carbon emission of approx. 5816 cars driven in Delhi for one year or will generate green electricity which will light LED light bulbs shining for one year or 11017 people’s annual electricity needs in India and this is not it, it is equivalent to 2631079 litres of water saved by avoiding the consumption of coal fired electricity. “Our objective is not just to provide an efficient and sustainable mass rapid transit system in Gurgaon but also be environmentally conscious in our energy and power usage. This partnership is part of our long-term strategy to use renewable sources to power the metro system and we are very proud that a portion of our energy will come from Solar,” Mr. Rajiv Banga, MD, Rapid Metro Gurgaon said. "Millennium city Gurugram is one of the most desirable regions to set up offices, retail and housing development in India as it generates thousands of jobs every year. Gurgaon Rapid Metro has played a key part in mass transportation within Gurugram. We are happy to partner with them on their journey to use clean solar energy for powering their metro. This partnership will also provide the right impetus for metro projects in other cities to use solar power not  just to lower their carbon emissions but also as an economical power source," Mr.Sanjeev Aggarwal, Managing Director & CEO, Amplus Energy said.

Rapid Metro Gurgaon always believed in sustainable energy and taking initiatives for creating a better and clean environment. Since its inception, the system has adopted various methods and initiatives towards reducing carbon footprint.  Rapid Metro trains have been designed with Regenerative Braking System in which the Train regenerates Electric Energy while braking thereby converting Kinetic Energy of the train into Electric Energy, which is then used by another train on the track circuit at that point of time. By the process of Regenerative Braking, Rapid Metro trains have regenerated 33% of traction power for rolling stock which has increased to 40% since opening of phase 2 of the system. LED lights are being used in trains and stations to conserve energy. Apart from design features, optimized operation and maintenance practices have resulted in energy saving.

About Rapid Metro Gurgaon:

Rapid Metro Gurgaon, an initiative of IL&FS Rail, is India’s first fully privately funded Metro Rail system. The driving force behind Rapid Metro is IL&FS Rail which is a subsidiary of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS), India's leading infrastructure development and finance company. The entire loop of Rapid Metro Gurgaon is 11.7 kms with 12 trains and 11 stations providing mass transit solution for areas in and around Cyber City, DLF Phase 2 and 3, NH-8 and Golf Course Road up to Sectors 55 and 56 of Gurugram.

 About Amplus Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Amplus Energy Solutions is a leader in providing distributed solar and energy solutions to industrial and commercial customers in India. Amplus owns and manages a portfolio of operational and under-construction plants of approx. 300MWp+, serving more than 100 customers at over 200 locations under its brand ‘Amplus Solar’. Amplus is backed by I Squared Capital, a global private equity fund focused on developing long-term sustainable infrastructure assets.

The 300+ MW project portfolio of Amplus is expected to generate 4682 Million units of electricity over the 25 years duration of the projects. The cumulative CO2 abatement over the lifetime of these projects amounts to 1.68 Million Metric Tonnes. The environmental impact can also be equated to 115 Million trees grown for 10 years.