Long-term energy planning includes clean energy for rails
As part of its commitment to reduce carbon footprints, Indian Railways is taking several initiatives, and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Agency for International Development/India (USAID/India) for collaboration on Renewable energy and Energy Efficiency.
The MoU was signed on 14 June 2023 by Naveen Gulati, Member (Traction and Rolling Stock), Railway Board, Indian Railways and Isabel Coleman, Deputy Administrator, USAID, in the presence of Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board.
USAID is an agency of the US Government that supports international development and advances its Mission objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade, clean energy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, global health, democracy and conflict mitigation and management, and humanitarian assistance.
Through MoU, technical assistance and support would be provided to Indian Railways. The MoU broadly includes but not limited to the following areas:
Long-term energy planning including clean energy for Indian Railways.
Develop an Energy Efficiency Policy and Action Plan for IR Buildings.
Planning for clean energy procurement to achieve Indian Railways’ net-zero vision.
Technical support for addressing regulatory and implementation barriers.
Bid design and bid management support for system-friendly, large-scale renewable procurement.
Supporting Indian Railways in the promotion of e-mobility.
Collaboratively host events, conferences, and capacity-building programs in the mentioned identified areas including field visits and study tours (domestic/international).
The collaboration of Indian Railways with USAID, India, will go a long way in helping Indian Railways to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030, the Railway Ministry said on 23 June 2023. Fiinews.com