Community-owned renewable energy sources are to electrify Welsh train lines after the Green Valley Lines project was granted £110,000 by the Rail Safety and Standards Board to develop its plans.

Under the scheme, parts of the Green Valley Line will be electrified and will be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or hydroelectric generators.

The generators will be installed next to railway lines in the region. These units would then directly supply the lines with low-carbon electricity, while in turn providing financial benefits to local communities, who would own them.

Led by climate charity 10:10 in partnership with Community Energy South’s social enterprise Riding Sunbeams, the Green Valley Lines project is also supported by Network Rail and the Energy Saving Trust.

“This exciting study is a golden opportunity to work out how to use new technologies to bring together Welsh leadership on rail electrification and community owned renewables,” said Leo Murray, director of innovation at 10:10.

“South Wales is rich in renewable energy resources, with a thriving community energy sector that could be the perfect complement to Network Rail’s pioneering plans for smart rail electrification in the region.”

The initiative is one of six projects to win funding through the Rail Safety Board’s competition, launched to help deliver Ministers’ commitment to remove diesel-only trains from Britain’s railways by 2040.

‘To get the full update on what’s happening in the rail sector join us at New Civil Engineer’s Future of Rail conference 26-27 June 2019. Call Ben Joudar on 020 3953 2623 to find out more.’

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