Community group helps UK’s largest rail network double down on emissions

A new solar energy project run by a not-for-profit community group is helping Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) double down on emissions to become carbon ‘net zero’ by 2050. 

The Streatham Hill Rail depot and its solar roof in Drewstead Road, Streatham Hill opened in December 2021, operated by Energy Garden, a Community Benefit Society which invests in renewable energy infrastructure in the area.

Equipped with 578 solar panels, the depot generates more than 200,000kWh a year, saving 50 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually.

About 40 per cent of the electricity generated is sold to GTR to power the Streatham Depot – which is used to clean and service toilets on Electrostar trains used on the Southern Rail metro routes.

The rest of the energy is exported to company partners verified to meet high standards of social and environmental performance. 

Energy Garden uses the profits generated to fund initiatives including an education programme which offers environmental education workshops for primary and secondary schools and internships for inner city 18-24-year-olds from London’s most deprived boroughs.

Agamemnon Otero, chief executive of Energy Garden, said: “Decarbonising UK transport is going to take collaboration. This partnership between GTR and Energy Garden proves that the third sector can deliver value and reduce costs for the private sector as well as drive social and environmental change. 

“The Net Zero transformation isn’t just carbon, Energy Garden is focused on cooperatively bringing biodiversity and passengers along for the journey.”

Based on the success of the Streatham Hill train depot, GTR and Energy Garden will now install 6,000 more solar panels on three further train depot roofs – at Selhurst in Croydon, Cauldwell Walk in Bedford and Three Bridges in East Sussex

Over 20 years, these will save more than 9,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions.

Jason Brooker, head of environment at GTR, said: “Our electric trains are already the most sustainable way to get around on public transport. 

“This partnership with Energy Garden will help us in our goal to eradicate our carbon footprint altogether and do real good in the community.”

Pictured top: Jason Brooker (left) and Agamemnon Otero (far right) with young trainees and Horticultural Lead Beatrice Dandy at the Energy Garden HQ in Victoria (Picture: GTR)