BS reported that the Indian Railways plan to have another thermal power plant even as their Nabinagar project, to come up in a JV with country's largest power producer NTPC Limited has remained a non starter.

In addition to thermal power generation, the railways have mega plans for wind power generation, for which it is looking for suitable locations in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

According to sources, the railways is in the process of hiring consultants for chalking out a captive power generation plan, which is likely to include thermal power generation for running trains and power from non conventional sources for railway stations.

However, the Indian Railways consumes about 14 million units of electricity every year, at a cost of INR 6,000 crore. The plan will also aim at reducing this cost.

According to Mr Chandan Roy director of NTPC (operations), the 1,000 MW Nabinagar project in Bihar has been delayed due to problems relating to land acquisition. NTPC is a 74% equity partner in Bharatiya Rail Bijlee Company, the JV that is implementing the project, with the railways holding the remaining 26% stake.

On the non conventional energy front, the railways foray has been more successful with its 10 MW wind farm in Chennai becoming operational last March. Suzlon had helped the railways put up the plant.

(Sourced from Business Standard)