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Green technology

Network Rail Signs Ground-Breaking Solar Power Deal to Operate Mainline Stations

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Network Rail has entered into an innovative agreement with EDF Renewables to power its 20 mainline railway stations in the UK using renewable energy from a solar farm in Norfolk. This move is seen as a significant step towards increasing the use of green energy in the rail industry, as it transitions towards a more integrated and renationalized system under Great British Railways (GBR).

Key Takeaways:

  • The 14-year fixed-price deal is a corporate power-purchase agreement between Network Rail and EDF Renewables, involving a solar farm under construction in Norfolk.
  • The agreement will provide enough electricity to power all 20 Network Rail-managed stations, including major mainline stations in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Bristol.
  • The solar farm is expected to generate enough electricity to power 15% of all Network Rail's energy not used to power trains, offices, depots, and stations.
  • This deal marks the first time a British railway company has entered into such a large-scale corporate power-purchase agreement.
  • Network Rail's finance director, Jeremy Westlake, stated that the contract "shows how organisations like Network Rail can use their buying power to drive investment in clean power generation for the country."
  • The government's plan for change, overseen by rail minister Lord Hendy, aims to drive economic growth, transition the country to sustainable energy, and secure jobs.
  • The deal is seen as a precursor to more widespread adoption of renewable energy in the rail industry, with potential future projects including the electrification of the TransPennine route between Leeds and Manchester.

Statistics:

  • The solar farm in Norfolk is expected to generate enough electricity to power 20 mainline railway stations.
  • The deal will provide 15% of all Network Rail's energy not used to power trains, offices, depots, and stations.
  • The contract is a 14-year fixed-price agreement between Network Rail and EDF Renewables.
  • The solar farm under construction in Norfolk is a 70 MW facility.
  • The total value of the deal is not explicitly stated.

Sources:

  • Britain's mainline railway stations are to be operated using solar power, in a ground-breaking deal signed by Network Rail.
  • Reference: [1] (Source: "Network Rail to use solar power for railway stations" by Robert Lea, Industrial Editor, The Times Newspaper dated 2023]

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