Network Rail Secures Solar Power Supply in EDF Partnership

Network Rail has signed a major agreement with EDF Renewables UK to supply clean energy from a new solar farm near the Great Eastern Main Line in Norfolk. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Construction at Bloy’s Grove will soon begin outside Swainsthorpe. The Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) will deliver 64 gigawatt hours of solar power annually for the next 14 years.

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This volume represents 15% of Network Rail’s electricity needs for stations, depots, and offices. It will significantly reduce carbon emissions and help advance the company’s Green Strategy.

To illustrate the scale, one year of power from the agreement could operate London Liverpool Street station for nine years. Over the full contract, the energy would cover all 20 managed stations for eight years.

Network Rail Expands Green Energy Under Long-Term Strategy

The CPPA is a critical part of Network Rail’s plan to transition its entire non-traction energy demand to renewable sources. More agreements are expected in the coming years to support this shift.

Jo Lewington, Network Rail’s chief environment and sustainability officer, emphasized the importance of this step. She said the company wants all offices and stations eventually powered by green energy.

Train travel already offers a sustainable alternative to road and air transport. This investment will further reduce the network’s carbon footprint and enhance its environmental leadership.

EDF and Network Rail Partnership Delivers Local and National Benefits

EDF Renewables UK will construct and operate the Bloy’s Grove solar farm. The facility will offset 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide during its 35-year lifespan.

This reduction is equal to planting more than 2.2 million trees. EDF will also invest $25,400 per year into a community fund, delivering $889,000 in total local support over the project’s duration.

James Schwerdt, Head of Solar at EDF Renewables UK, noted that the partnership with Network Rail highlights the value of solar energy in cutting emissions and energy costs.

The project aligns with national goals for net zero by 2050 and demonstrates how rail infrastructure can lead the shift to renewable power.

Source, photo: www.sustainabletimes.co.uk

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