A solar farm about to begin construction in Norfolk will help to power Network Rail stations and offices thanks to a revolutionary deal with energy supplier EDF Renewables.
Through the Corporate Purchase Power Agreement – a first for Britain’s railway - Network Rail will secure 64GWh of clean energy at a fixed cost every year for the next 14 years, providing around 15 per cent of the electricity needed for its offices, depots and managed stations – known as non-traction energy
As a result of the deal, EDF Renewables will start work on a solar facility at Bloy’s Grove, near Swainsthorpe in Norfolk, in sight of the Great Eastern Main Line.
Just one year of clean energy purchased by Network Rail through the deal is the equivalent of powering London Liverpool Street station for nine years. In fact, over the 14-year contract, enough energy will be provided to power every Network Rail-managed station (all 20 of them) for eight years.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy said:
“We are working with partners across the rail industry to build a modern transport network with our environmental commitments at the heart.”
The Government’s Plan for Change is driving economic growth, transitioning the country to sustainable energy, and securing jobs. Under our new integrated approach, we are ensuring the British rail industry remains at the forefront of innovation and improvement.”
The deal is a key part of the company’s Green Strategy – here – which outlines the railway’s route to a sustainable future. In addition, it is hoped to strike a further CoPPA to move all of Network Rail’s non-traction electrical requirements to solar power in the next few years.
Jeremy Westlake, Network Rail’s chief financial officer, said: “This contract, the first of its kind for the railway, shows how organisations like Network Rail can use their buying power to drive investment in clean power generation for the country.
"With the railway industry set to unite under Great British Railways, this contract, our Green Strategy, and a cohesive railway system provide us with even more opportunities to reduce emissions and make our railway even greener."
Jo Lewington, chief environment and sustainability officer at Network Rail, said: “Travelling by train is already one of the most sustainable ways of getting around and we know we can do more as a business. In future we would like all of our office and station power to come from sustainable sources and this contract is a huge step forward towards that.”
The facility – which will be built, owned and managed by EDF Renewables UK – could contribute to saving around 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission over its lifetime, which is equivalent to planting approximately 2.2 million trees.
EDF Renewables UK is also offering a community fund of £20,000 paid annually for the 35-year lifetime of the project.
James Schwerdt, Head of Solar at EDF Renewables UK, said: “We are very pleased to be working with Network Rail to help them transition to green, renewable, low-carbon energy. This project shows the importance of technologies such as solar in reducing costs and de-carbonising the UK electricity system to reach the country’s target of net zero by 2050.”
Image credit: Network Rail
