Siemens Mobility has taken a significant step towards sustainability with the installation of 1,700 solar panels at its Goole Rail Village, transforming the site into a low-carbon hub for rail technology. The solar array, covering nearly 20,000 square metres across three manufacturing buildings, generates up to 1MW of clean energy—enough to power more than 150 homes.
This investment is part of a broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions across Siemens Mobility’s operations, aligning with its goal of achieving net zero at Goole by 2030.
The Goole Rail Village now operates with minimal emissions, integrating green energy, clean heating systems, and sustainable transport initiatives. These efforts support Siemens Mobility’s DEGREE framework, a sustainability strategy focused on reducing environmental impact across its global operations.
“Our vision from the very outset was for the Goole Rail Village to be net zero in its operations by 2030, with this state-of-the-art facility playing a central part in our mission to transform rail travel and transport in the UK. We’ve made great progress in this journey to net zero, however, there is more to do, and we will continue to seek to remove carbon from our own operations between now and 2030,” Finbarr Dowling, Siemens Mobility Director of Localisation, said.
Goole Rail Village: GBP 240 million investment to date
Siemens Mobility’s investment of up to GBP 240 million in Goole represents a major commitment to rail innovation in the UK. The site, which includes manufacturing, logistics, and office facilities, has been designed with sustainability in mind. Key initiatives include:
- Green Energy Usage – The solar array provides clean power during production hours, while surplus energy is fed back into the grid. Any additional energy required is sourced from renewables.
- Low-Carbon Heating – A £2 million investment in air source heat pumps is expected to reduce carbon output by 980 tonnes per year, an 88% reduction in heating-related emissions.
- Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – The company is electrifying its vehicle fleet and installing 70 EV charging points across the site.
- Sustainable Transport Initiatives – Employees are encouraged to use public transport, cycle, or car-share. Siemens Mobility also helped establish the Goole + Howden Hopper bus service to improve connectivity for local workers.
The Goole site is playing a central role in assembling Transport for London’s (TfL) new Piccadilly line trains, which are set to enter service later this year. Siemens Mobility also plans to build future main line trains at Goole, including battery bi-mode trains that could save £3.5 billion and reduce CO₂ emissions by 12 million tonnes over 35 years.
Further expansion is underway, with a GBP 40 million investment in a Bogie Assembly and Service Centre, which will bring up to 1,000 new jobs and create around 1,700 supply chain opportunities.
“We’ve considered how best to minimise our carbon footprint at every stage, including throughout the development and construction phases. With the rail manufacturing facility now operational, we’re seeing the full benefits of building sustainability into the project from day one,” David Harris, Siemens Mobility Construction Project Manager, said.
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