Tanya Weaver Tue 3 Mar 2026
Collected at: https://eandt.theiet.org/2026/03/03/new-solar-installations-directly-power-london-underground
Transport for London (TfL) is partnering with SSE Energy Solutions to build purpose-built solar installations that will supply electricity to the Tube network.
The deal will see SSE Energy Solutions – the business energy division of UK energy supplier SSE – build, operate and maintain the solar systems, with TfL paying for the electricity generated to power the transport network.
This means that TfL will receive renewable electricity straight from purpose-built solar, bypassing the National Grid and helping to reduce pressure on central electricity grids.
TfL is London’s largest single electricity consumer, with a demand of approximately 1.6 Terawatt hours per year. This is used to power underground and overground trains, the Docklands Light Railway, trams, stations, depots and other facilities.
Aerial shot of solar panels on Croydon tram depotTfL
SSE Energy Solutions will now work to identify suitable locations to build the new solar installations. These will need to be located close to the TfL network and could incorporate a mixture of both ground-mounted and rooftop solar installations.
Once constructed, TfL says they could deliver up to 65,000 megawatt hours of renewable electricity to the network – the equivalent of around two-thirds of the estimated annual consumption of the Victoria line.
The collaboration will provide TfL with renewable energy at a fixed price, protecting it against market volatility, while also contributing to security of supply as it is locally generated.
In the longer term, TfL says this private wire scheme could potentially generate additional financial savings through bypassing some of the costs associated with delivery of power through the National Grid.
While the focus of the contract is to initially help power the underground network, there may also be potential opportunities to connect to other parts of its estate, such as depots.
TfL’s overall ambition is to use 100% renewably-sourced electricity across its entire operations by 2030.
Deputy mayor of environment and energy Mete Coban welcomed the partnership, highlighting that the move will create green jobs and relieve pressure on the National Grid.
Lilli Matson, chief safety, health and environment officer at TfL, said: “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% renewable source electricity across our operations by 2030.”
Nathan Sanders, managing director of distributed energy, SSE Energy Solutions, said: “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.”
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