Vijayawada: In a significant step towards sustainable energy usage and environmental conservation in the Guntur railway division, Guntur Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Sudeshna Sen inaugurated a 150-kilowatt solar power plant at the DRM office in Pattabhipuram, Guntur, on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, the DRM said that the solar power plant, with an installed capacity of 150 KWP, was designed to meet a substantial portion of the DRM office’s daily electricity consumption, reducing dependence on conventional grid power. The adoption of solar technology ensures a clean energy supply for at least 25 years, with projected cost savings and minimal environmental impact.The initiative is expected to save around 0.82 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent per day, corresponding to a reduction in fossil fuel usage and the plantation of up to 14 trees daily and 5,000 trees per annum. Financially, with energy charges priced at 7.95 per unit, the investment in the solar plant is estimated to be recovered within 4.5 years, after which the system will operate with very low maintenance costs for its remaining lifespan. Guntur ADRM M Ramesh Kumar, DEE/Maintenance M Ravi Teja, and other branch officials were present.
