TfL is taking a major step toward powering the capital’s transport network with clean energy.
The organisation has selected SSE Energy Solutions to develop new solar installations that will supply zero-carbon electricity directly to the Tube network through a private wire connection, bypassing the National Grid.
The sun will soon power Tube journeys in London
The innovative scheme is designed to deliver locally generated renewable power straight to London’s Underground system, marking a significant milestone in TfL’s ambition to run on 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
SSE Energy Solutions won the contract through a competitive procurement process launched in November 2024, seeking up to 64MW of solar capacity.
The installations, likely including rooftop panels and ground-mounted arrays near the TfL network, could generate up to 65,000 MWh annually – equivalent to two-thirds of the Victoria line’s yearly electricity use or power for 25,000 homes.
SSE will build, operate, and maintain the projects over their lifetime, locking in fixed-price renewable power to shield TfL from market volatility.
TfL’s move to renewable electricity supports the Mayor’s net-zero London by 2030 ambition
Over 25 years, the scheme could save more than 27,000 tonnes of CO2, matching emissions from nearly 33,000 New York-London flights.
As London’s biggest electricity user – consuming 1.6 TWh yearly, like 593,000 homes or 15.5% of the city’s households, this helps ease grid pressure and boosts green jobs.
TfL’s move supports the Mayor’s net-zero London by 2030 ambition and validated targets to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions 90% by then.
Lilli Matson, chief safety, health and environment officer at TfL, said: “We’re excited to be working together with SSE Energy Solutions to deliver renewable electricity directly to the Tube network. Once built, the new solar installations will provide locally generated renewable electricity, reducing the pressure on the National Grid, while also helping to protect us against market volatility with the added potential for cost savings too.
“We all need to play our part to support the successful transition to renewable energy, working together across the public and private sectors. As one of the largest electricity consumers in the UK, we’re committed to being the strong, green heartbeat for London. This collaboration is just one of the ways that we’re working towards our wider ambition to use 100 per cent renewable source electricity across our operations by 2030.”
Nathan Sanders, managing director of distributed energy, SSE Energy Solutions, commented: “SSE Energy Solutions is proud to be appointed by TfL to deliver renewable energy directly to the Tube via private-wire – supporting London’s 2030 net zero ambition and TfL’s Corporate Environment Plan. We’ll invest in, build, operate and maintain the projects, helping to decarbonise and manage price volatility while enabling potential savings for TfL.”