Indian Railways under a ‘Surya Mahadasha’; over 2,600 stations drawing solar energy for current operations

The Indian Railways has claimed to have made strong progress in using solar energy across its rail network.

At present, 2,626 railway stations are utilising solar power, and such a wide scale of adoption is reportedly helping reduce energy costs, a PIB release says.

It is also supporting a steady shift towards cleaner and more sustainable railway operations across the country. This momentum has increased further in the current financial year.

Up to November, 318 stations have been added to the solar network. With these additions, the total number of solar-powered railway stations has reached 2,626.

Railways has also achieved a major milestone in clean energy use. By November 2025, it has commissioned 898 MW of solar power for its operations. This is a sharp increase from just 3.68 MW in 2014.

This marks an expansion of nearly 244 times over the 2014 level. Of the total commissioned capacity, 629 MW is being utilised for traction purposes, which directly supports electric train operations.

The remaining 269 MW meets non-traction needs, which include station lighting, workshops, service buildings and railway quarters.

This balanced use of solar power, the release says, reduces dependence on conventional energy and improves the overall efficiency of railway operations.

Solar installations at stations, buildings, and railway land are reportedly meeting the growing energy needs of the Indian Railways, thereby improving energy security.

These initiatives are also supporting decarbonisation goals, which aids in the Railways’ commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030.