Solar farm to be built to power the tube
Energy from the Longfield solar farm is set to transform how London runs its transport. EDF Renewables UK will begin constructing a new solar farm in Longfield, Essex, in 2026, supplying an estimated 80 GWh of clean electricity annually to Transport for London’s Tube network. The Longfield solar farm project not only aligns with TfL’s goal to source up to 70 per cent of its power via renewables, but also bolsters the National Grid, and creates local green jobs and biodiversity gains.
The solar farm, covering around 400 hectares, has planning consent from June 2023. It’s expected to deliver 400 GWh a year by the decade’s end and produce a biodiversity net gain of 87 per cent, far exceeding legal requirements. With this long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), expected to run for 15 years, TfL will save roughly 28,000 tonnes of carbon, equivalent to more than 33,000 one-way flights to New York.
This clean energy supply adds to London’s push to reach zero carbon by 2030, as championed by the Mayor’s newly formed climate finance taskforce to unlock £75 billion in green investment. External analysis from the Climate Group shows London still leads on city-level climate finance efforts.
At a time when Londoners are increasingly concerned about energy costs and climate resilience, this move also secures stable electricity prices for TfL and shields it from market volatility. It reflects the broader national trend: solar power in the UK has surged, with projects like Longfield now among the largest consented solar farms in England.
The Longfield solar farm marks a hopeful step in greening London’s energy and supporting local communities.
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