Network Rail has secured a five-year renewable energy supply agreement, under which it will buy renewable electricity from the Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm. The wind farm will provide around 300GWh annually, which will meet approximately 65% of Network Rail’s non-traction electricity demand, including offices, depots and its managed stations.
Network Rail said this was a significant step towards its 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. It follows a corporate PPA signed with EDF Renewables in 2025, which secured 64GWh 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.
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.
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.
Neil Marshall, Advisory Lead for Onshore Wind at Natural Power, which acted as technical advisor, said: “As more corporates turn to PPAs to meet sustainability targets and manage energy costs, the need for robust technical oversight is becoming increasingly clear. Selecting a renewable energy partner is not solely a commercial decision, it requires a deep understanding of project feasibility, delivery risk, and long-term performance.
“Without appropriate technical scrutiny, corporate buyers face a range of potential risks, including project delays, underperformance in energy generation, and failure to meet decarbonisation commitments. In some cases, poorly managed projects may also introduce reputational challenges, particularly where environmental, consenting, or construction practices fall short of expectations.”