The Tube could be part-powered with solar energy, under Transport for London plans to switch to “green” electricity.
TfL is inviting bids to establish “solar farms” that would harvest the sun’s rays and convert them into energy to power Tube trains.
Locations are yet to be identified but will probably have to be close to the Underground network and could solar panels on roof-top buildings or on the ground.
It is part of TfL’s wider ambition to use 100 per cent renewable source electricity across its operations by 2030.
TfL is the largest electricity consumer in London, with a demand of approximately 1.6TWh per year - equivalent to the electricity consumed by around 420,000 homes.
It estimates that solar farms could provide up to 64 MW of clean energy – about five per cent of the electricity needed to run the Tube.
This could also create more “green jobs” and drive the zero-carbon economy.
Lilli Matson, TfL's chief safety, health and environment officer, said: “We’re inviting bidders to help us deliver purpose-built solar PV farms for the Tube network, in a move to make the energy we use and rely on cleaner, greener and potentially more cost-efficient.
“This is a start of a long-term journey to decarbonise London’s transport system. We want to stay ahead of the curve and make a significant contribution to the acceleration of GB’s grid transition towards net zero.”
Mete Coban, deputy mayor for environment and energy, said: “Not only will the solar panels help TfL to cut running costs and save passengers money, they will also create green jobs while helping TfL to reduce its carbon emissions.”
TfL is also converting lighting within stations, bus shelters and on trains to LEDs, which use up to 60 per cent less energy than traditional lighting..
More than a third of Tube stations have been converted to LED lighting, and TfL expects to have all bus shelters, including those used in advertising panels, converted to LEDs in the coming months.
