Transport for London (TfL) is looking for a partner to build solar farms for powering the Underground.
- The chosen developer will provide proposals for up to 64 MW of solar power, about 5% of the Tube’s needs.
- Private wire deals will offer TfL local solar power, skirting the National Grid.
- With a yearly demand of 1.6 TWh, TfL consumes as much electricity as 420,000 homes.
- Officials see this as a step towards decarbonising London’s transport system.
Transport for London (TfL) is calling on companies to assist in the construction of solar farms aimed at powering the London Underground. This initiative intends to secure a local source of renewable energy to cover around 5% of the network’s electricity needs, equating to a potential output of up to 64 megawatts (MW).
The engagement with a dedicated delivery partner through private wire agreements represents a strategic move by TfL to receive zero-carbon electricity directly from a local facility. This approach circumvents the traditional reliance on the National Grid’s centralised distribution system, thereby easing the burden on national electricity infrastructure.
As London’s largest single consumer of electricity, TfL’s consumption amounts to approximately 1.6 Terawatt hours (TWh) annually, comparable to the electricity usage of about 420,000 residential homes. According to Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety, health, and environment officer, the organisation is actively seeking innovative solutions to enhance the sustainability of its energy consumption.
Ms. Matson remarked, “As London’s strong, green heartbeat, we’re unlocking new ways to make our network and the energy we consume greener. We’re inviting bidders to help us deliver purpose-built solar photovoltaic (PV) farms for the Tube network, in a move to make the energy we use and rely on cleaner, greener and potentially more cost-efficient.”
Frank Gordon, director of policy at the Association for Renewable & Clean Technology, highlighted the significant opportunity for the solar industry to engage with a major public entity such as TfL. He noted that TfL is one of the largest electricity procurers in the southeast, presenting considerable potential for innovation in renewable energy solutions.
This ambitious project by TfL not only marks a pivotal step in decarbonising its operations but also opens up avenues in the energy market, potentially creating new employment opportunities within the green energy sector. The long-term goal is to contribute significantly to the transition of Great Britain’s energy grid towards net-zero emissions.
TfL’s solar initiative signals a progressive stride towards greening London’s iconic transport network.
