Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMPL) has completed the installation of a 1.8 MW solar power plant at its Muttom coach depot. KMPL has declared that the electricity is assisting the metro operator in meeting 51 per cent of its overall power requirements from solar energy following its commissioning. Over the years, the fallow area near the Muttom depot has been used for setting up solar plants. The new solar facility has increased the total installed capacity of solar power by 9.9 MW. The project will be expanded to a total capacity of 10.5 MW.
According to the reports, the Kochi Metro’s solar power projects are being implemented in three phases. The first two phases have already been completed and commissioned. The newly opened factory is part of the third phase of the project, which is now underway. This phase also taps the solar potential of the metro lines’ open sky spaces. Earlier, rooftop solar plants with a capacity of 2.7 MWp was installed on metro stations and depots in Phase I of the project, generating 3.7 million units of electricity per year since 2018. Phase II began in 2019 with the installation of ground-mounted solar power project at the Kochi Metro depot, which produces 4.4 million units of electricity per year.
In August 2021, KMRL decided to collaborate with the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology to set up electric vehicle charging points in all metro stations. In the first phase, charging points would be installed at four metro stations as a pilot project. Once found viable, the project would be extended to all the 22 metro stations in Kochi.
