Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has strengthened its commitment to sustainability through a new cooperative energy project with climate action group Energy Garden.
London’s Streatham Hill depot has been transformed into a local source of renewable energy as part of the project.
GTR currently manages Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern services.
If the transformation is successful it could result in an extension of GTR’s eco-friendly energy generation initiative across its network.
As part of the project 526 solar panels will be installed on the depot’s roof.
It is projected this will save 884 tonnes of carbon and generate 4,165,000kWh of electricity over a 20-year period.
Around 42% of the electricity generated from the solar panels will be sold to GTR to power the daytime usage of the Streatham Depot.
Any energy that remains unused will be exported by Energy Garden to other businesses looking to improve their community and sustainability credentials.
GTR’s Sustainability Forums helped inspire the project.
The Sustainability Forums encourage stakeholders to offer feedback and forward ideas on how to improve the environmental impact on the network.
The trial will play a key role as GTR look to reduce carbon emissions by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2045.
Keith Jipps, Infrastructure Director at GTR spoke on how beneficial the project can be for the rail network and the communities it serves.
Mr Jipps said: “This project offers so much.
“[The project] creates something of tangible value for the community and our environment, while also supporting our long-term journey to become a net zero company.
“It’s been really exciting to work with a team so clearly driven by creating community value with such an innovative approach.”
Energy Garden also elaborated on how the project will allow communities become more involved in helping the rail industry meet its sustainability targets.
Agamemnon Otero MBE Founder & CEO at Energy Garden said: “We are proud to work with GTR to install this solar array and generate funding for our education and greening programs.
“Hundreds of thousands of passengers interact daily with energy gardens on the railway.
“The Energy Garden Share Offer allows passengers to take ownership of their commute and transition the railway to a net zero future.”
