TfL opens tenders for solar power partnership

Transport for London (TfL) is seeking a delivery partner to collaborate on developing purpose-built solar farms that will connect to the London Underground network, with opportunities for a broader connection to TfL’s estate. Bidders are invited to participate in a competitive tender that opens on 31 October.

Following the conclusion of this tender, the appointed delivery partner will design and deliver proposals for solar developments that could bring up to 64 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the network, approximately five per cent of the electricity needed to run the Tube network. The project will explore developing and connecting solar infrastructure near the TfL network, facilitating the development of assets at scale, and contributing to the broader ambition to use 100 per cent renewable source electricity across TfL’s operations by 2030.

By entering into private wire agreements with a dedicated delivery partner, TfL will directly receive zero-carbon electricity from a local facility, bypassing the National Grid’s centralised sources and Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and reducing pressure on the central electricity grids. In the longer term, private wire schemes could generate financial savings, bypassing some of the costs associated with power delivery through the National Grid.

TfL is the largest single electricity consumer in London, with a demand of approximately 1.6 Terawatt hours (TWh) per year, which is equivalent to the electricity consumed by around 420,000 homes [1] or 12 per cent of homes across London. The project will increase solar energy generation, stimulate the market for green jobs, and create greater market security and confidence. By harvesting renewable energy opportunities and working towards 100 per cent renewable-sourced electricity, this initiative will help to deliver the Mayor’s target of a net zero carbon London by 2030.

Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety health environment officer, said: “As London’s strong, green heartbeat, we’re unlocking new ways to make our network and the energy we consume greener. We’re inviting bidders to help us deliver purpose-built solar photovoltaic (PV) farms for the Tube network in a move to make the energy we use and rely on cleaner, greener and potentially more cost-efficient.

“By opening up new opportunities in the energy market and creating green jobs along the way, this is a start of a long-term journey to decarbonise London’s iconic transport system. We want to stay ahead of the curve and make a significant contribution to the acceleration of Great Britain’s grid transition towards net zero.”

Mete Coban, deputy mayor for environment and energy, said: “The Mayor has ambitious goals to cut London’s carbon footprint, so powering London’s world-leading transport system with green energy is a clear win-win. Installing solar panels as a source of renewable energy is one of many ways organisations in London can lower their carbon footprint.

“Not only will the solar panels help TfL to cut running costs and save passengers money, they will also create green jobs while helping TfL to reduce its carbon emissions.

“This is a great opportunity for organisations to work with us as we build a greener, fairer London for everyone.”

Frank Gordon, director of policy at The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, said: “We welcome this innovative approach from TfL to procuring renewable power for their network, as well as the wider ambition to use 100 per cent renewable source electricity across TfL’s operations by 2030.

“As one of the largest procurers of electricity in the South East this is a considerable opportunity for the solar industry to partner with a leading public organisation and start to roll out innovative solutions for decarbonising our energy supplies. As the UN’s recent warnings on likely future temperature rise make clear, the time for such action is now and has never been more clear both environmentally but also economically, with the spikes in fossil fuel bills in recent times.”

Rosie Allen, policy adviser at the Green Alliance, said: “It’s exciting to see this innovation into powering London’s Tube network with solar. TfL is continuing to trailblaze on sustainable transport. Soon, the District Line won’t be the only green route on the Tube!”

As part of wider work to drive sustainability across London, TfL is investing in further decarbonising its operations, including transitioning its support vehicles and buses. It continues to work towards the Mayor’s commitment to have a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030, acting as a catalyst for new production models and helping to transform the bus industry in the UK.

TfL is working to remove fossil fuels from its buildings, develop wider projects to improve energy efficiency and identify opportunities to generate renewable energy across its estate. Work to procure Power Purchase Agreements, which aim to purchase a significant proportion of TfL’s required electricity from renewable energy sources via the grid, is well underway.

TfL is also converting lighting within stations, bus shelters, and on trains to LEDs. These use up to 60 percent less energy than traditional lighting while achieving around a ten percent increase in brightness. More than a third of Tube stations across London have been converted to LED lighting, and TfL expects all bus shelters, including those used in advertising panels, to be converted to LEDs in the coming months.

TfL is taking an active approach to decarbonisation for construction projects by recently signing up for the Construction Leadership Council’s Five Client Carbon Commitments. This involves setting out actions under a common framework on how to reduce carbon emissions from its construction activities. The Five Client Carbon Commitments are:

Procure for low carbon construction and provide incentives in our contracts
Set phase-out dates for fossil fuel use
Eliminate the most carbon-intensive concrete products
Eliminate the most carbon-intensive steel products
Adopt PAS 2080, Carbon Management in Infrastructure, as a common standard.

TfL is already progressing in including low carbon requirements in our contracts and reducing carbon in major construction projects like Old Street, Neasden, and Surrey Quays. TfL also continues to improve processes in the early stages of construction and takes a structured, phased approach to decarbonisation, including reducing the 25 per cent of embodied carbon emissions from steel and 20 per cent of the same from concrete materials on site and working towards emission-free deliveries by 2030 and diesel-free sites by 2035.

The TfL Corporate Environment Plan, launched in 2021, explains how TfL will help make London a net zero-carbon city by 2030 and achieve the environmental outcomes of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. TfL is delivering measures to clean London’s toxic air, such as the London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone, the growing number of greener buses, and zero-emission taxis.

Photo by Jeroen van de Water on Unsplash

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