In a cooperative energy agreement with community climate action group Energy Garden, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is to install solar panels at three of its main depots that will provide local sources of renewable energy as well as funding community development projects.

Nearly 6,000 solar panels are to be installed on the roofs of the train depots Bedford, Selhurst in South London, and Three Bridges in Sussex. The yearly totals of energy produced by the panels is predicted to be over 330 MWh at Bedford and 1.7 GWh at both Selhurst and Three Bridges. That will give a total combined annual output to boil enough kettles to make over 47 million cups of tea!

Over a 20-year period, Govia Thameslink Railway expects the panels to generate 42.6 GWh of electricity and save over 9,000 tonnes of CO2. Profits arising from selling the energy will be invested in community development.

Approximately 50% of the electricity generated will be sold directly to Govia Thameslink Railway to power its depots, whilst the remainder will be supplied by Energy Garden to other businesses keen to improve their community and sustainability credentials. Energy Garden is a not-for-profit organisation and will invest any surplus income over and above the project costs into local community development.; it currently is working with over 50 community groups across London’s rail network.

In 2021, Energy Garden and Network Rail entered a trial partnership when it installed over 500 solar panels on the roof of Govia Thameslink Railway’s depot at Streatham Hill in South London. Last year those panels generated 215 MWh of energy.

Jason Brooker, Head of Environment at GTR, commented: “We all know that travelling by rail is a sustainable option. However, at GTR we want to ensure that our commitment to decarbonisation and sustainability is clear for our passengers to see.

“We already take measures such as ensuring all the electricity we use across our stations and depots comes from green energy tariffs using renewable energy assets, as well as looking at our efficiency – from the LED lights to the way we heat our offices.

“Creating our own energy through the solar panel network is the next logical step. We are delighted with the success of the Streatham Hill trial, and of our other solar power installations at Blackfriars and Denmark Hill – this new agreement to expand the programme means more savings and more community investment to come.”

Agamemnon Otero, Founder and CEO of Energy Garden, said: “The partnership between GTR and Energy Garden has changed the UK railway for ever. The Streatham Hill Depot solar project demonstrated the power of community-owned solar to passengers and is now funding social and environmental transformation in London. With this new franchise agreement of 2.5MW of community-owned solar power, Energy Garden and GTR continue to set an example for a more sustainable railway.”