Indian Railways Signs 170 MW Solar PPA at Global Investors Summit 2025

Indian Railways has signed a 170 MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Madhya Pradesh government, securing the cheapest solar power in India at INR 2.15 per kWh.

The agreement, part of the national railway network’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions, was announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal.

Participating virtually from Rail Bhawan, Vaishnaw emphasised Indian Railways’ target of 100 percent electrification by 2025-26 and its increasing focus on renewable energy procurement. He urged all states to contribute renewable energy—solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear—to Indian Railways, calling for a collaborative approach to green energy adoption.

The agreement was signed between key stakeholders, including West Central Railway (WCR), Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Ltd. (RUMSL), and Waree Forever Energies Pvt Ltd, the solar power developer. RUMSL, a joint venture of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. (MPUVNL), is supplying power from its 1500 MW solar parks in Agar, Shajapur, and Neemuch.

With this latest deal, Indian Railways has now secured 4,260 MW of installed solar capacity and 3,427 MW of installed wind capacity to meet its energy needs. By 2030, its traction power demand is projected to reach 10,000 MW, with renewable sources playing a crucial role in powering operations.

Vaishnaw also highlighted a record INR 14,745 crore budget allocated for Madhya Pradesh’s railway infrastructure in FY 2025-26, the highest ever for the state. Rail expansion has significantly accelerated, with new track laying increasing 7.5 times, from 29 km per year before 2014 to 230 km per year today.

RUMSL’s landmark solar project has already contributed to reducing India’s solar tariffs, achieving the lowest-ever public-private partnership solar tariff of INR 2.97/kWh without any government viability gap funding.

Recognised for its innovation and efficiency, the project has been featured in the Prime Minister’s 'Book of Innovation' and received the World Bank’s 'President Award.'

With Indian Railways committed to shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy, this PPA with Madhya Pradesh marks another milestone in India’s journey toward a sustainable, low-carbon future.