TfL – Transport for London – the operator of the transportation system in Britain’s capital city, has signed a deal with EDF Renewables to purchase electricity from a huge solar array to be erected next year in Essex. TfL has the goal of powering 100% of its entire transit system – including its sprawling underground railway network – with renewable electricity by 2030.
The forthcoming 1,000-acre solar facility will also transform low-quality farmland by incorporating the planting of trees and hedgerows as well as setting aside some areas for natural regeneration, attracting a greater number of species of plants and animals, expanding biodiversity in the area. Looking after nature and protecting the environment are key elements in TfL’s contracts, in keeping with its wider goals to be greener, more sustainable, and well-adapted to climate change.
The solar facility will generate 80 gigawatt-hours annually for the transit authority, roughly enough electricity to power 29,000 homes, comprising about 20% of its total output. Powering the entire sprawling London underground railroad network is equivalent to powering 420,000 homes. Over the course of the 15-year contract with EDF, TfL expects to save over 30,000 tons of carbon from its operations.
TfL plans to secure 70% of its electricity use from power purchase agreements for renewable electricity from various sources with the remainder from green tariffs. The Mayor of London has set the goal for London to be a net zero carbon city by 2030.
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London Inches Closer to Running Transit System Entirely on Renewable Power
Photo, posted March 5, 2017, courtesy of Albert Koch via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio
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