Significant parts of London’s underground network will be powered by solar after Transport for London (TfL) appointed SSE Energy Solutions as its delivery partner.
TfL will receive zero-carbon electricity straight from purpose-built solar installations, bypassing the National Grid. As London’s largest single electricity consumer, TfL’s deal is one of the first private wire schemes for an urban transport network. It is part of the authority’s ambition to use 100% renewably-sourced electricity across TfL’s operations by 2030.
SSE Energy Solutions will work with TfL to identify suitable locations to build the new solar installations, likely close to the TfL network to enable the direct connection, and including both ground-mounted solar installations or rooftop panels.
Once constructed, they could deliver up to 65,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable electricity to the network, which is the equivalent of around two-thirds of the estimated annual consumption of the Victoria line. This offers the potential to save more than 27,000 tonnes of carbon in total over 25 years.
The collaboration also guarantees generated renewable power to TfL at a fixed price, protecting TfL against market volatility, it said.
It also forms a key part of TfL’s long-term Energy Purchasing Strategy, which will see it purchase up to 70% of the total electricity it needs through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
As part of a programme of work to reduce carbon emissions across London, TfL is also working towards a fully zero-emission bus fleet. More than 2,800 buses are now zero-emission models.
TfL is also converting lighting within stations, bus shelters and on trains to LEDs, which use up to 60% less energy than traditional lighting, while achieving around a 10% increase in brightness. Currently, more than 40% of Tube stations across London have been converted to LED lighting.
It is already making progress to include low carbon requirements in its contracts, reducing carbon in major construction projects like Old Street, Neasden and Surrey Quays.
Deputy Mayor of Environment and Energy, Mete Coban, said:
“I am delighted that TfL is taking this major step towards powering London’s transport system with clean, green energy – bringing us closer to our goal of operating on 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2030. As these new sites are selected, they will create green jobs, boost biodiversity, and supply clean power, relieving pressure on the National Grid as we continue to build a fairer, greener London for everyone.”
Lilli Matson, Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer at TfL, said:
“We’re excited to be working together with SSE Energy Solutions to deliver renewable electricity directly to the Tube network. Once built, the new solar installations will provide locally generated renewable electricity, reducing the pressure on the National Grid, while also helping to protect us against market volatility with the added potential for cost savings too.
“We all need to play our part to support the successful transition to renewable energy, working together across the public and private sectors. As one of the largest electricity consumers in the UK, we’re committed to being the strong, green heartbeat for London. This collaboration is just one of the ways that we’re working towards our wider ambition to use 100 per cent renewable source electricity across our operations by 2030.”
Nathan Sanders, Managing Director of Distributed Energy, SSE Energy Solutions, said:
“SSE Energy Solutions is proud to be appointed by TfL to deliver renewable energy directly to the Tube via private-wire – supporting London’s 2030 net zero ambition and TfL’s Corporate Environment Plan. We’ll invest in, build, operate and maintain the projects, helping to decarbonise and manage price volatility while enabling potential savings for TfL.”
Image courtesy of TfL
