Network Rail has signed a ground-breaking agreement with EDF Renewables to power its stations and offices using clean solar energy, marking a first for Britain’s railway industry.
Under a 14-year Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA), Network Rail will secure 64GWh of electricity annually at a fixed cost. The energy—generated from a new solar farm being constructed at Bloy’s Grove, near Swainsthorpe in Norfolk—will supply around 15% of the railway’s non-traction energy needs, covering offices, depots, and its 20 managed stations.
Construction of the solar facility, located near the Great Eastern Main Line, will begin shortly. Over the duration of the agreement, the site will produce enough electricity to power every Network Rail-managed station for eight years. Just one year’s supply is enough to run London Liverpool Street station for nine years.
“We are working with industry partners to build a modern transport network that puts sustainability at its core. This deal helps drive economic growth, supports our transition to renewable energy, and secures jobs across the sector,” Rail Minister Lord Hendy said.
The initiative is a key component of Network Rail’s Green Strategy, which aims to significantly reduce the railway’s carbon footprint. The company is also exploring further agreements to source all non-traction power from solar in the coming years.
“This first-of-its-kind contract shows how organisations like ours can use purchasing power to support investment in clean energy infrastructure,” Jeremy Westlake, Chief Financial Officer at Network Rail, said.
“Rail is already among the most sustainable modes of transport. This contract represents a major step towards sourcing all of our office and station electricity from renewable sources,” Jo Lewington, Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer at Network Rail, added.
EDF Renewables UK will build, own, and operate the facility, which is expected to save around 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over its lifetime—the equivalent of planting 2.2 million trees. The company will also provide a £20,000 annual community fund for the 35-year lifespan of the project.
“This project highlights the crucial role solar can play in cutting costs and reducing emissions. We’re proud to support Network Rail in its shift to low-carbon energy and help the UK progress towards its 2050 net zero goals,” James Schwerdt, Head of Solar at EDF Renewables UK, said.
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