Network Rail stations and offices go solar
The solar farm for Network Rail's stations and offices will be built by EDF Renewables UK near Swainsthorpe in Norfolk.
Through the first Corporate Purchase Power Agreement for Britain's railway, Network Rail will secure 64GWh at a fixed cost annually for the next 14 years. This will provide ~15% of the electricity needed for its offices, depots and managed stations (non-traction energy).
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, Network Rail reports. It also claims that over the length of the contract, the energy provided would power all 20 Network Rail-managed stations for eight years.
The organisation hopes to strike a further CoPPA to move all of its non-traction electrical requirements to solar power in the next few years.
Network Rail says the facility could contribute to saving around 60,000t of carbon dioxide emissions over its lifetime, equivalent to planting ~2.2mln trees.
EDF Renewables UK is also offering a community fund of £20,000 annually for the 35-year lifetime of the project.
