Transport for London (TfL) has appointed EDF Renewables UK to generate and ship inexperienced electrical energy for the London Underground community (aka the Tube), by way of a brand new photo voltaic facility to be in-built Longfield, Essex.
EDF Renewables UK will start development work on the photo voltaic farm from subsequent yr. When accomplished, the power is anticipated to provide 80GWh of fresh electrical energy to TfL yearly, which is the equal of powering greater than 29,000 houses.
The brand new photo voltaic farm will present roughly 20% of its output to TfL, representing about 80 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electrical energy per yr, or 1,200 GWh collectively over 15 years. Building is anticipated to start in 2026 and, when accomplished, may contribute circa 400 GWh per yr to the nationwide grid in direction of the tip of the last decade.
TfL can be seeking to broaden its renewable power portfolio by launching a young for a supply companion to work collaboratively to develop transfer purpose-built photo voltaic farms to connect with the London Underground community. In the long run these non-public wire schemes may generate as much as 64 megawatts (MW) of electrical energy for the community, which is roughly 5% of the 1.2TWh of electrical energy wanted to run the Tube community annually.
“As one of many largest electrical energy shoppers within the UK, we’re completely dedicated to doing what we are able to to decarbonise London by clear, renewable power sources,” says Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief security, well being and setting officer.
The TfL staff meet with EDF Renewables UK to finalise the settlement ©TfL
The contract has been mad with EDF subsidiary Longfield Photo voltaic Vitality Farm Restricted, by way of a Energy Buy Settlement (PPA) over 15 years. “This PPA is a landmark second for us as this settlement allows EDF Renewables UK to spend money on a model new facility for clear electrical energy provide for our Tube community,” provides Matson.
Over the period of provide below the contract, TfL expects to save lots of over 28,000 tonnes of carbon in its operations, equal to 33,300 one-way journeys between London and NYC. As London’s largest single client of electrical energy, utilizing round 1.6TWh each year throughout all networks together with the Tube, the contract additionally ensures generated renewable energy to TfL at a set value, defending TfL in opposition to market volatility and potential disruptions.
“We’re utilizing our buying energy to make public transport essentially the most environmentally sustainable selection Londoners could make,” Matson says. “By giving EDFR the safety to spend money on new renewable power sources within the UK, we’re additionally creating new inexperienced jobs, enhancing the native biodiversity and wildlife, and stimulating the nationwide financial system.”
The roughly 400-hectare photo voltaic facility, for which EDF Renewables UK secured planning permission from the Division of State for Vitality, Safety and Web Zero in June 2023, will remodel present lower-quality farmland.
The newly constructed facility will incorporate the planting of bushes and hedgerows, and permit for pure regeneration, making the encircling setting extra liveable and attracting a better number of wildlife. It’s anticipated to end in a constructive biodiversity internet acquire of 87.1%, considerably increased than the ten% authorized requirement below the Surroundings Act 2021.
The Tube is London’s single largest client of electrical energy ©TfL
Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables UK, says: “We’re proud to companion with TfL on this PPA, which marks a major step ahead for the supply of our Longfield photo voltaic farm. This settlement is constructed upon our shared dedication to sustainability and investing in clear power, serving to to energy important public providers with low-carbon electrical energy.”
The power required to energy transport in London is equal to the electrical energy consumed by round 420,000 houses, which equates to 12 per cent of houses throughout the capital. TfL’s long-term Vitality Buying Technique is to buy as much as 70% of the full electrical energy it wants by PPAs, with the rest primarily by a versatile inexperienced tariff. This can contribute to the broader ambition to make use of 100% renewable supply electrical energy throughout TfL’s operations by 2030.
“That is precisely the sort of management we’d like from main public our bodies to unlock funding in clear power infrastructure,” says Rollo Maschietto, interim head of energy on the REA (Renewable Vitality Affiliation). “TfL helps to carry ahead large-scale UK photo voltaic – the most affordable and quickest type of new electrical energy era.”
