TfGM agrees renewable power deal for Bee Network
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has agreed a long-term power purchase agreement with renewable energy developer AGR Power to provide electricity for the Bee Network, as the region continues the transition towards a zero-emission bus fleet.
image: TfGM
The 20-year agreement will provide TfGM with access to 42GWh of renewable electricity a year from AGR Power's solar development at Burwell in Cambridgeshire. The volume is broadly equivalent to the current electricity requirements of the Metrolink tram network and represents more than half of TfGM's current energy consumption.
Under the arrangement, electricity generated by the solar development will be exported to the National Grid, while TfGM will secure an equivalent volume of renewable power at an agreed price. The structure is intended to provide greater certainty over future energy costs while supporting investment in new renewable generation.
The deal comes as electricity demand across the Bee Network is expected to increase substantially as more diesel buses are replaced by battery-electric vehicles and additional depot charging infrastructure is installed. TfGM estimates that full electrification of its bus operation would increase energy demand to around four times its pre-electrification level.
Around 40% of the Bee Network bus fleet is expected to be electric by the end of 2026, with 170 additional zero-emission buses on order or being delivered. TfGM has already electrified five depots, at Ashton, Bolton, Middleton, Oldham and Hyde Road in Manchester.
TfGM has indicated that it could explore further power purchase agreements as electricity demand rises, including arrangements to support the wider electrification of the bus network and its depots.
The agreement forms part of Greater Manchester's wider plans to reduce transport emissions. TfGM's existing strategy targets a carbon-neutral organisation by 2038, while the Bee Network's bus fleet is targeted to become fully zero-emission by 2030.
The Burwell solar development is expected to become operational in 2028. AGR Power estimates that the project will displace around 19,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year once operational.
The agreement also includes annual contributions to local charities, according to TfGM.