110 MW solar power plant for NCRTC to energise Namo Bharat

The 110 MW solar power plant for NCRTC is being developed in Uttar Pradesh to supply renewable electricity for the Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor (as previously covered by Railway Supply).

NCRTC has awarded the project to NLC India Limited, with the move described as supporting cleaner urban mobility and lower emissions, as reported by The Economic Times.

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The solar facility is planned on a 24-month timeline. NCRTC expects it to meet nearly 60% of the total electricity requirement of the Namo Bharat corridor. NLC India Limited, a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Coal, will implement the work through an NCRTC and NLC India partnership structured as a joint venture, according to Mercom India.

Captive solar model to power the Namo Bharat corridor

A key element of the plan is a first-of-its-kind captive solar model for transit systems within India’s RRTS and Metro networks. The solar power plant in Uttar Pradesh will be connected to the state power grid, so the electricity produced can be transmitted via the grid to receiving substations in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. From there, it will be distributed along the entire Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor, supporting operational flexibility while keeping the supply chain integrated with the grid.

Environmental and economic impact for NCRTC

NCRTC estimates the project will deliver an annual reduction of approximately 1,77,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. The corporation also points to operating costs: electricity makes up nearly 30% to 35% of its total operational expenditure. Once the solar power plant becomes operational, NCRTC anticipates around a 25% reduction in electricity costs, strengthening long-term financial sustainability and improving the efficiency of public spending.

National Solar Mission alignment and air-quality benefits

The initiative is framed as aligned with the National Solar Mission and India’s renewable energy adoption goals for large infrastructure projects. NCRTC also links the shift to solar generation with potential improvements in air quality in the Delhi–NCR region, noting that solar power does not emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) associated with fossil-fuel-based power generation, which can support better public health outcomes.

Overall, the NCRTC solar power plan combines clean energy supply for a major rapid transit corridor with measurable targets on emissions and operating costs, setting a precedent for future metro and rapid transit projects across the country.

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