The Punjab government will soon begin powering all Orange Line Metro Train stations and stops with solar energy to significantly cut down on electricity bills and decrease reliance on the local power grid. Rather than using traditional electricity—which costs between Rs 18 and Rs 21 per unit—officials plan to install a 1.6-megawatt solar power plant dedicated to supplying clean energy to escalators, station lighting, platforms, and ancillary systems.
This setup will eliminate the need for conventional power at metro stations and yards. In the past, Punjab managed to spend billions of rupees every year in the form of subsidies in order to meet the electrical usage costs of the Orange Line Metro. By switching to solar, the authorities hope to save hundreds of crores every month, alleviating the strain on the public budget and increasing the sustainability of operations.
In early 2024, planning for this transition started under the caretaker Provincial Transport Minister, working in conjunction with NESPAK. The project is currently in the execution stage after feasibility studies, which will see solar panels installed at strategic locations such as depots, stabling yards, and all the metro stations in the route.
