Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology.
Credit: DH File Photo
New Delhi: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said that the railways will achieve 100 percent electrification in the 2025-26 fiscal.
In a virtual address at the MP Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025 after the signing of a power purchase agreement with the state, Railways Minister Vaishnaw said the government has set a target of making railways net zero by 2030.
As of date, over 97 per cent electrification of Railways has been achieved and by FY 2025-26, it will achieve 100 percent electrification, he added.
On drawing power from renewable energy sources, the minister said 1,500 MW or 1.5 GW capacity has already been tied to be supplied to Railways as of date.
"The 170 MW power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with Madhya Pradesh today is an important step in this direction," he added.
The PPA has been signed between Railways, Waree Energies and Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Ltd (RUMSL).
The railways was also securing solar power through PPA arrangements with developers. By 2030, Indian Railways' traction power requirement is projected to reach 10,000 MW. So far, it has secured 4,260 MW of installed solar capacity and 3,427 MW of installed wind capacity to meet its energy needs, the Minister said.
"Indian Railways is committed to achieving net-zero emissions and shifting from road to rail transport to promote environmental sustainability, reduce oil imports, and lower overall logistics costs. As part of this vision, it is meeting its energy requirements through non-fossil sources such as solar, wind, and nuclear power. The collaboration with RUMSL is a significant step in this direction," the Minister said.
Vaishnaw urged all Indian states to contribute renewable energy—be it solar, wind, hydro, or nuclear power—to Indian Railways, emphasizing a collaborative approach to sustainable energy. He praised the successful partnership model between the Railway Ministry and the Government of Madhya Pradesh, which facilitates direct PPA agreements between the state’s energy generators and Indian Railways