The Turkish State Railways (TCDD) has ushered in a new era in energy. TCDD is now generating its own electricity through solar energy investments. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced the commissioning of four solar power plants in the first phase. These plants are located at the Balıkesir Train Station, Selçuk Train Station, and Basmane Train Station, as well as the Gaziantep Taşlıca Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Workshop.

Solar energy will be used on railways

Minister Uraloğlu stated that these plants will contribute 1.5 billion lira to the state budget annually. With the completion of the other ongoing power plants, annual electricity production is expected to exceed 318 million kilowatt-hours. It was stated that this energy will not only meet TCDD’s own needs, but any surplus will be fed into the grid, generating revenue for the public.

Minister Uraloğlu also announced that TCDD is continuing its investments in this area. He stated that preparations are underway for three new solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 200 megawatts. These power plants will be built in the Ankara-Kocahacılı, Sivas-Sarıdemir, and Kahramanmaraş-Narlı regions and will generate approximately 320 million kilowatt-hours of energy annually. Upon completion of these projects by 2029, 25% of the railway’s electricity needs will be met by renewable sources.

A separate project has also been prepared for Marmaray. The Minister stated that solar power plants with a total capacity of 10.13 megawatts will be installed on the roofs of 26 Marmaray stations. These plants will generate more than 15 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

Once the project is completed, 60% of the energy required for Marmaray’s operation and safety will come from solar energy. Minister Uraloğlu added that, in line with the 2053 Net Zero Emission Target, they aim to meet 35% of TCDD’s electricity needs from renewable sources in the medium term.