Bhopal: Indian Railways took a significant step toward achieving its Net Zero carbon emissions goal by signing a 170 MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Madhya Pradesh government at the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal. Addressing investors and entrepreneurs via video conferencing from Rail Bhawan, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the Indian government’s commitment to sustainable energy and railway modernization.
The agreement, which marks the procurement of India’s cheapest solar power at ₹2.15/kWh, was signed between West Central Railway (WCR), Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Limited (RUMSL), and Waree Forever Energies Pvt Ltd. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, and Rakesh Shukla, Minister of New and Renewable Energy, were present at the event.
Vaishnaw reaffirmed Indian Railways’ ambitious plan for 100% electrification by 2025-26, along with maximizing solar, wind, and nuclear energy procurement to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Indian Railways has already secured 1,500 MW of renewable energy and is actively expanding its portfolio, with its traction power requirement projected to reach 10,000 MW by 2030. So far, the national transporter has acquired 4,260 MW of installed solar capacity and 3,427 MW of installed wind capacity.
The Minister called for nationwide collaboration in renewable energy, urging all Indian states to contribute solar, wind, hydro, or nuclear power to Indian Railways. He highlighted the successful partnership model between the Railway Ministry and the Madhya Pradesh government, which enables direct PPA agreements between state energy producers and Indian Railways.
Vaishnaw also announced a historic railway budget allocation of ₹14,745 crore for Madhya Pradesh in FY 2025-26, the highest-ever for the state. He noted that railway infrastructure development has accelerated significantly, with railway track laying increasing from 29 km per year before 2014 to 230 km per year today—a 7.5x increase.
The collaboration between Indian Railways and Madhya Pradesh, particularly through RUMSL’s largest solar park, reinforces the government’s sustainable transport vision and underscores its commitment to reducing oil imports, lowering logistics costs, and promoting environmental sustainability.
