Transport for London (TfL) has signed a major new deal to power the London Underground using clean solar energy, as part of a long-term plan to decarbonise the capital’s transport network and support biodiversity.
A new solar facility will be built in Longfield, Essex, by EDF Renewables UK through its subsidiary Longfield Solar Energy Farm Limited. The agreement, known as a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), will supply TfL with around 80 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year—enough to power over 29,000 homes, or run the entire Tube network for a year.
Construction of the solar farm is set to begin in 2026, with TfL securing a fixed 15-year contract that not only locks in electricity prices but also protects the organisation from energy market volatility. The project is expected to save more than 28,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime, the equivalent of 33,300 one-way flights between London and New York City.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London is already a world leader when it comes to addressing the climate crisis, so it’s only right that we continue blazing this trail when it comes to our transport system. This new agreement will enable us to power our transport network with clean, green, renewable energy and reduce TfL’s carbon emissions as we continue building a greener and better London for everyone.”
TfL aims to source 70% of its electricity through PPAs by 2030, with the rest expected to come from flexible green tariffs. The new solar facility will provide 20% of its output to TfL, and feed the remainder into the National Grid, contributing to its wider decarbonisation goals.
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.”
The solar farm will cover approximately 400 hectares of lower-grade farmland, and includes plans to plant trees, hedgerows, and allow natural regeneration. This is expected to result in a biodiversity net gain of 87.1%, far exceeding the legal requirement of 10% set by the Environment Act 2021.
Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables UK, said: “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.”
The announcement comes alongside the launch of a new climate finance taskforce by the Mayor of London to unlock £75 billion in private investment to support the city’s net zero target by 2030.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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