With the largest solar power plant among all central universities in India, Jamia Millia Islamia plans to become fully renewable and emission-free. The university also sets to provide energy for the surrounding Okhla area.

The university has a 2.25 MW solar power plant has begun construction of two sewage water treatment plants near hostel areas of its campus. It has also adopted the green building concept in the construction of girls’ hostel.

Liyawat Zaidi, Jamia executive engineer, said that the university got in touch with a NCR-based firm SunSource Energy, which is Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) approved, to execute the project on a turnkey basis. The leading solar developer firm will maintain the project for the next 25 years under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model.

“The university got in touch with a NCR-based leading solar developer, SunSource Energy, which executed the project on a turnkey basis and will maintain it for the next 25 years under the renewable energy service company (Resco) model,” Jamia executive engineer Liyaqat Zaidi said, adding that the university is trying to minimise its carbon footprint.

As many as 7,042 solar panels have been installed on the rooftops of 54 buildings on the university campus. COO and co-founder of SunSource Energy, Kushagra Nandan said that it is expected that the installation of 2.25 MW solar power plant will not only contribute to the environment significantly but also save over Rs 1 crore annually.

Nandan added that the university will also reduce its carbon footprint by saving 1,155,128 kg coal which is equivalent to 60,323 tree seedlings grown for 10 years. The water used by residents on the campus would be treated by the sewage plants after which the treated water would be used by the horticulture department to maintain the plants on the university campus.

The project will also be beneficial for students as it will help them get practical training and even jobs in future.