Sadiq Khan’s TfL plots to build solar farms in London’s leafy suburbs

Targeting commuter towns and suburbs at the end of Tube lines could prove highly controversial because the land around commuter towns in such areas is mostly protected under green belt legislation.

For example, the Metropolitan Line runs from east London through leafy suburbs like Harrow and Pinner right out to Chorleywood, Chalfont Amersham and Chesham – all surrounded by green belt farmland.

In the east, the District line extends to Upminster – part of the London borough of Havering but surrounded by fields which are also green belt.

Asked if TfL would allow the use of green belt land for its solar farms a spokesman said: “The location of projects will be determined on a site-by-site basis.”

The £175m scheme is part of the wider ambition to power the Tube, and the rest of TfL’s operations, entirely on green electricity by 2030.

Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety, health and environment officer, said: “We’re inviting bidders to help us deliver purpose-built solar photovoltaic (PV) farms for the Tube network … This is the start of a long-term journey to decarbonise London’s iconic transport system.”

TfL generates about 850,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, much of it from diesel-powered buses but about 337,000 tonnes comes from the electricity generated to power the Tube.

It means TfL is the largest power consumer in London, with most of its electricity used to power the underground. It uses 1.6 terawatt hours a year – equivalent to the power needs of 420,000 homes – and generates a monster £350m power bill.

At the moment, most of its electricity is drawn from the national grid via several “bulk supply points” across the capital.

This power is then distributed via 300 substations spread across 250 miles of track, powering not just trains but also 1600 buildings including 270 London Underground stations and more than 20 depots.

Under the new scheme, a growing proportion of its electricity will instead be supplied under power purchase agreements between TfL and low-carbon generators, potentially also including offshore and onshore wind farms.

Mete Coban, London’s deputy mayor for environment and energy, said: “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.”

TfL said in a statement: “The location of projects will be determined by the developer. Due to the nature of private wire schemes, it will likely be required to be close to the TfL network.”