Network Rail has signed a new agreement with renewable energy company RWE to supply around 65% of its non-traction electricity from offshore wind power.
The five-year Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CoPPA) will provide approximately 300 GWh of renewable electricity each year from the Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm, located off the coast of North Wales.
Electricity from the site, which has 160 turbines and a total capacity of 576MW, will begin supplying Network Rail’s offices, depots and managed stations from April 2027.
The deal is expected to reduce Network Rail’s carbon emissions by around 168,000 tonnes of CO₂e over its duration, equivalent to planting around 6.5 million trees.
It marks a further step towards the organisation’s target of sourcing all non-traction electricity from renewable sources by 2030, covering its offices, depots and 20 managed stations.
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 represents a major step towards our ambition to power all our non-traction electricity from renewable sources by 2030.”
The agreement is Network Rail’s second CoPPA in the past year, following a 2025 deal with EDF Renewables to secure 64 GWh of solar energy annually. Together, the agreements will provide around 80% of the organisation’s non-traction electricity from renewable sources.
Olaf Lubenow, Head of Commodity Solutions UK, North & South Europe at RWE Supply & Trading, said the contract demonstrated support for the public sector’s transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy supply.
The agreement forms part of Network Rail’s wider sustainability strategy as it works to reduce emissions and increase the use of renewable energy across its estate.
