New Delhi: The United States Agency For International Development (USAID) will support Indian Railways in achieving its Mission Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030. This is expected to help Indian Railways to reduce dependence on imported fuel such as diesel, coal etc. The deployment of Renewable Energy (RE) plants will give fillip to RE technology in the country. This will help in the development of the local ecosystem which subsequently gives a boost to local product development.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was today apprised of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect between Indian Railways and USAID on June 14, 2023. The Cabinet approved the MoU today.
The MoU provides a platform for Indian Railways to interact and share the latest developments and knowledge in the railway sector. It also facilitates utility modernization, advanced energy solutions and systems, regional energy and market integration and private sector participation and engagement, training and seminars/workshops focusing on specific technology areas like renewable energy, energy efficiency and other interactions for knowledge sharing.
Earlier, USAID had also worked with Indian Railways on the deployment of rooftop solar across railway platforms.
The MoU signed by Indian Railways with the USAID is for enabling energy self-sufficiency with the following understanding:
- Both the Participants intend to jointly work broadly on the following key activity areas with details to be agreed upon separately:
- Long-term energy planning including clean energy for Indian Railways.
- Develop an Energy Efficiency Policy and Action Plan for Indian Railway Buildings.
- Planning for clean energy procurement to achieve Indian Railway’s net-zero vision.
- Technical support for addressing regulatory and implementation barriers.
- Bid design and bid management support for system-friendly, large-scale renewable procurement.
- Supporting Indian Railways in the promotion of e-mobility.
- Collaboratively host events, conferences, and capacity-building programs in the identified areas.
- Either participant may request in writing a revision, modification or amendment to all or any part of this MoU. Any revision, modification or amendment approved by the participants will form part of the revised MoU. Such revision, modification or amendment will come into effect on such date as may be determined by the Participants.
- The MoU is effective as of the date of signing and is expected to continue for five years or until the effective end of the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) whichever period is shorter.
Technical assistance for the services under this MoU is intended to be provided by USAID under the SAREP initiative. This MoU is not an obligation of funds or a commitment of any kind, and it is non-binding. This does not involve any financial commitment from Indian Railways.
– global bihari bureau
