Network Rail Goes Solar in Landmark EDF Renewables Deal, Bringing Clean Energy to Stations and Offices

Network Rail is set to tap into clean energy from a newly commissioned solar farm in Norfolk, thanks to a landmark deal with EDF Renewables UK. Construction at Bloy’s Grove, just outside Swainsthorpe and within sight of the Great Eastern Main Line, is poised to begin, with the energy generated playing a pivotal role in decarbonising Britain’s railway infrastructure.

At the heart of this initiative is a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA), the first of its kind for the UK rail network. Under the 14-year agreement, Network Rail will purchase 64 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable electricity annually at a fixed cost. This will account for around 15% of the electricity needed to power its offices, depots, and managed stations, collectively referred to as non-traction energy.

To put this in perspective, a single year’s worth of energy under the CPPA would be enough to power London Liverpool Street station for nine years. Over the full 14-year span, the clean energy supplied will be sufficient to run all 20 Network Rail-managed stations for eight consecutive years.

Rail Minister Lord Hendy said: “We are working with partners across the rail industry to build a modern transport network with our environmental commitments at the heart. The Government’s Plan for Change is driving economic growth, transitioning the country to sustainable energy, and securing jobs. Under our new integrated approach, we are ensuring the British rail industry remains at the forefront of innovation and improvement.”

The move aligns with Network Rail’s broader Green Strategy, which charts a course toward a more sustainable future for rail travel. The company isn’t stopping here. Plans are underway to secure additional CPPAs to transition all of its non-traction electricity eventually to solar, a significant leap toward full sustainability.

“With the railway industry set to unite under Great British Railways, this contract, our Green Strategy, and a cohesive railway system provide us with even more opportunities to reduce emissions and make our railway even greener.”

Jo Lewington, chief environment and sustainability officer at Network Rail, said: “Travelling by train is already one of the most sustainable ways of getting around, and we know we can do more as a business. In future, we would like all of our office and station power to come from sustainable sources, and this contract is a huge step forward towards that.”

EDF Renewables UK will build, operate, and manage the Bloy’s Grove facility. Over its projected lifespan, the solar farm is expected to offset approximately 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of planting more than 2.2 million trees.

And it’s not just the environment that stands to benefit. EDF Renewables has also committed to investing in the local community, pledging £20,000 per year to a community fund for the whole 35-year operational life of the solar project.

James Schwerdt, Head of Solar at EDF Renewables UK, said: “We are very pleased to be working with Network Rail to help them transition to green, renewable, low-carbon energy. This project shows the importance of technologies such as solar in reducing costs and de-carbonising the UK electricity system to reach the country’s target of net zero by 2050.”