Transport for London (TfL) has appointed EDF Renewables UK, through its subsidiary Longfield Solar Energy Farm Limited, to generate and deliver green electricity via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) over 15 years. The contract will see a new solar facility built in Longfield, Essex, and renewable energy generated for the Tube. The facility will also support the decarbonisation of the National Grid and increase its renewable energy capacity.
The new solar farm will provide approximately 20% of its output to TfL, which is about 80 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year, or 1,200GWh collectively over 15 years – this amount of clean electricity could run the entire Tube network for a year or power both the DLR and Tram network for 15 years. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and, when completed, could contribute circa 400 GWh per year to the national grid towards the end of the decade.
Over the 15-year duration of supply under the contract, TfL expects to save over 28,000 tonnes of carbon – equivalent to 33,300 one-way trips between London and NYC – in its operations. As London’s largest single consumer of electricity, using around 1.6TWh per annum, the contract also guarantees generated renewable power to TfL at a fixed price, protecting TfL against market volatility and potential disruptions.
The approximately 400-hectare solar facility, for which EDF Renewables UK secured the planning permission from the Department of State for Energy, Security and Net Zero in June 2023 as part of the government’s mission of delivering a clean grid by 2030, will transform the current lower-quality of farmland.
The newly built facility will incorporate the planting of trees and hedgerows, and allow for natural regeneration, which will make the surrounding environment more habitable, attracting a greater number of species of plants and animals and expanding the variety of wildlife in the area. It is expected to result in a positive biodiversity net gain of 87.1%, which is significantly higher than the 10% legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021, helping to support the local area’s plants and animals and meet local biodiversity commitments. Looking after nature and protecting the environment are key criteria in TfL’s contracts, aligned to TfL’s wider goals to be greener, more sustainable and well-adapted to climate change.
The energy required to power transport in London is equivalent to the electricity consumed by around 420,000 homes, which equates to 12% of homes across the capital. TfL’s long term Energy Purchasing Strategy is to purchase up to 70% of the total electricity it needs through PPAs, with the remainder mainly through a flexible green tariff. This will contribute to the wider ambition to use 100% renewable source electricity across TfL’s operations by 2030..
Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety, health and environment officer, said: “As one of the largest electricity consumers in the UK, we are absolutely committed to doing what we can to decarbonise London through clean, renewable energy sources. This PPA is a landmark moment for us as this agreement enables EDF Renewables UK to invest in a brand new facility for clean electricity supply for our Tube network and GB’s grid – a significant step in our mission to make all our services powered this way by 2030 and a new green era for the Tube.
“We are using our purchasing power to make public transport the most environmentally sustainable choice Londoners can make. By giving EDFR the security to invest in new renewable energy sources in the UK, we are also creating new green jobs, improving the local biodiversity and wildlife, and stimulating the national economy. This will open doors to more public-private approaches to further accelerate the decarbonisation of GB’s grid.”
Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables UK, commented: “We are proud to partner with TfL on this PPA, which marks a significant step forward for the delivery of our Longfield solar farm. This agreement is built upon our shared commitment to sustainability and investing in clean energy, helping to power essential public services with low-carbon electricity and support the UK’s journey to net zero.”
Image credit: TFL