SWR generates over 4 million units of solar energy in 6 months | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: South Western Railway (SWR) generated a total of 4.13 million units of power through solar panels in the first six months of the financial year 2025-26. Along with rooftop solar panels installed at 148 railway stations, most of them in Karnataka, SWR has panels on service and administrative buildings, workshops, and level crossing gates.Rooftop solar plants have been commissioned at KSR Bengaluru, Krishnarajapuram, Yeshwantpur. Hubballi, Mysuru, Dharwad, Belagavi, Hosapete, Gadag, and Ballari. In addition, 38 buildings, such as Rail Soudha are also part of the project.In the current financial year, a total of 4.13 million units of solar energy was generated. The half-yearly figure shows a significant increase compared to the 6.86 million units generated in the entire financial year 2024-25. As per SWR, it has already saved Rs 2.61 crore, and the savings are poised to go above Rs 4 crore in the previous year.Officials attribute this increase in generation to the ongoing expansion of installed capacity and improved maintenance of solar photovoltaic systems. “It is like a continuous process, and we are adapting to renewable energy as the Railway Board guidelines are so strict, and we have to follow them. There will be more expansion in the coming months,” they said.In the current financial year, SWR increased its solar capacity by 525.35 kWp, taking the cumulative installed capacity to 7,491.6 kWp as of Nov compared to 6,986 kWp at the end of FY 2024–25.“New installations at six stations and 10 service buildings have led to an increase of 7.22% in installed capacity. The existing solar capacity comprises 2,351.13 kWp at railway stations, 4,877.25 kWp at service buildings, 138.24 kWp at level crossing gates, and 125 kWp through solar pumps,” an official explained.Beyond rooftop solar, SWR has also leveraged open access renewable power procurement. As of Dec 2025, 36 traction substations under SWR are operational under open access arrangements. In the 2024-25 financial year, consumption of 529.67 million units under open access resulted in savings of Rs 191 crore, while Rs 130 crore was saved till Oct this financial year.
