London Underground: TfL plans solar farms to help power the Tube

Transport for London (TfL) is planning to set up solar farms to help power its Underground network.

The transport body has asked for potential “delivery partners” to apply to provide up to 64 megawatts of zero-carbon electricity from purpose-built solar farms.

This would be about 5% of the power needed to run the Tube and would bypass the National Grid, according to TfL.

It says it is the largest single electricity consumer in London – at a level equivalent to that consumed by about 420,000 homes – and the project would reduce pressure on the central grids.

TfL also claimed that in the longer term, a private wire scheme could generate financial savings.

It also said the measure would help deliver the mayor’s target of a net-zero carbon London by 2030.

Lilli Matson from TfL said: “As London’s strong, green heartbeat, we’re unlocking new ways to make our network and the energy we consume greener.

“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.”