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Wednesday 15 Apr 2026

New Network Rail deal to run depots, offices and stations from wind power

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National

Network Rail has taken another major step towards powering all its offices, depots and managed stations with renewable electricity after signing a deal with leading renewable energy company RWE to supply around 65% of its non-traction electricity from one of its offshore wind farms.

The Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CoPPA), Network Rail's second within a year, will deliver 300 GWh of renewable electricity annually over five years.

Under the deal, power will be supplied from RWE's Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm, located 15 miles off the coast of North Wales in the Irish Sea, which will help Network Rail reduce its carbon emissions by around 168,000 tonnes of CO₂e - the equivalent of planting 6.5 million trees.

The agreement represents a significant step towards Network Rail's ambition to have all non-traction electricity used across its offices, depots and all of its 20 managed stations sourced from sustainable energy by 2030.

Paul Marshall, Network Rail’s chief financial officer said: “This contract marks a significant step forward in our transition to renewable energy. Rail is already one of the most sustainable ways to travel, but we recognise there is much more we can do.

“This agreement with RWE represents a major step towards our ambition to power all our non-traction electricity - across offices, stations and depots - from renewable sources by 2030. It also highlights the important role organisations can play in driving investment in clean energy.

“As we move towards Great British Railways, this deal underlines our commitment to reducing carbon emissions and building a more integrated, sustainable rail network, not just for the millions who rely on it today, but for future generations.”

Olaf Lubenow, Head of Commodity Solutions UK, North & South Europe at RWE Supply & Trading , said: “We are delighted to have concluded the first public sector PPA under the new Government Commercial Agency framework. Our contract with Network Rail demonstrates our strong commitment to supporting the UK public sector on its path towards a sustainable and resilient energy supply.

“By providing Network Rail with offshore wind power from Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm, we are helping to significantly reduce emissions while enhancing the long-term stability and reliability of their electricity procurement.”

The agreement forms a key part of Network Rail's Greener Strategy, which sets out its plans to achieve a sustainable railway, and follows a CoPPA signed with EDF Renewables in 2025, which secured 64 GWh of clean energy per year from a new solar farm currently under construction. Together, the two agreements will provide around 80% of the organisation's non-traction electricity from renewable sources, putting Network Rail firmly on track to meet its 2030 target.

Electricity from RWE's Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm, commissioned in 2015 and consisting of 160 wind turbines with a total capacity of 576 megawatts, will begin powering Network Rail's offices, stations and depots from 1 April 2027.