In a significant step towards sustainable urban transport, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has invited bids to procure 500 million units of renewable energy annually to power its operations, officials announced on Sunday.

According to a statement, DMRC aims to select a solar power developer to establish a grid-connected captive generating plant, complete with a battery energy storage system (BESS), at any location within India. The energy generated will be supplied to DMRC under a 25-year power purchase agreement, with the project slated for completion within 15 months of award.

At present, Delhi Metro meets around 33 per cent of its total power demand from renewable sources. It procures approximately 350 million units annually from the Rewa Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh and produces about 40 million units from rooftop solar installations across stations, depots, and residential complexes.

During daytime operations, the share of renewable energy rises to nearly 65 per cent. With this new initiative, DMRC aims to raise the overall share of renewables in its total energy mix to over 60 per cent, including the requirements for its upcoming Phase IV expansion.

“If achieved, Delhi Metro will become the first metro system in India to source more than half of its total power from clean energy,” the statement noted.

This initiative forms part of DMRC’s broader strategy to support India’s transition towards sustainable and low-carbon urban transport systems. It also aligns with the government’s ‘Panchamrit’ climate action commitments announced at the COP26 summit, reinforcing efforts to promote renewable energy integration across key infrastructure sectors.