Indian Railways Accelerates Towards Net-Zero With 10,000 MW Clean Energy Vision By 2030

Indian Railways is taking major steps towards sustainability by focusing on renewable energy. At the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the railway network aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. He emphasized the government’s commitment to 100% electrification, which is expected to be completed by the 2025-26 financial year. To support this goal, Indian Railways has been rapidly increasing its use of solar and wind energy.

A significant development in this direction is the signing of a 170 MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Madhya Pradesh government. This agreement ensures the procurement of the country’s cheapest solar power at ₹2.15 per kWh. The power will be supplied by Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Limited (RUMSL), which operates one of India’s largest solar parks. The Minister highlighted that this step aligns with Indian Railways’ broader strategy of increasing renewable energy adoption.

So far, Indian Railways has secured 4,260 MW of installed solar capacity and 3,427 MW of installed wind capacity. By 2030, the railway network’s traction power demand is projected to reach 10,000 MW, and efforts are underway to ensure that most of this energy comes from clean sources. The Minister also urged all states to collaborate and contribute solar, wind, hydro, or nuclear energy to support Indian Railways’ transition to a greener system.

The partnership between Indian Railways and the Madhya Pradesh government reflects the growing role of state-level initiatives in India’s clean energy movement. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Minister of New and Renewable Energy Rakesh Shukla were present at the summit and expressed their commitment to furthering such collaborations. The government has been promoting direct PPA agreements between Indian Railways and state energy producers to streamline the process of renewable energy procurement.

In addition to expanding its renewable energy footprint, Indian Railways is undergoing rapid infrastructure development. The budget allocation for Madhya Pradesh’s railway sector for the 2025-26 financial year has reached a record ₹14,745 crore. Infrastructure expansion, including railway track construction, has significantly accelerated, with track laying increasing from 29 km per year before 2014 to 230 km per year currently.

The Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Limited (RUMSL) project plays a crucial role in supplying renewable energy to the railways. With a capacity of 1,500 MW, the project operates solar parks in Agar, Shajapur, and Neemuch districts in Madhya Pradesh. Indian Railways is set to receive 195 MW from these parks, ensuring a steady supply of clean power. The project follows a Design, Build, Finance, Own, and Operate (DBFOO) model, which has helped it become a benchmark for renewable energy projects in India.

RUMSL’s solar power projects have been recognized for their innovation and efficiency. The project achieved the lowest-ever tariff for a solar public-private partnership at ₹2.97 per kWh without government subsidies. It has also contributed to a 2.5% increase in India’s total solar power generation capacity. The success of RUMSL has earned it a place in the Prime Minister’s “Book of Innovation” and the prestigious “President Award” from the World Bank.

With initiatives like these, Indian Railways is steadily moving towards becoming a fully electrified and sustainable transport network. By integrating solar and wind energy, the railways not only reduce dependence on fossil fuels but also contribute to India’s broader clean energy transition.