Transport for London (TfL) is seeking partners to build a network of purpose-built solar farms that will be used to power the London Underground.

The proposals could bring up to 64MW of electricity to the network, or approximately 5% of the electricity needed to run the entire network. The project is part of broader efforts to power all of TfL’s operations using 100% renewable energy by 2030.

TfL said the projects will link directly to the London Underground, bypassing the National Grid entirely, while in the longer term private wire schemes could generate further savings.

TfL is the largest single electricity consumer in London with a demand of approximately 1.6TWh per year – equivalent to the electricity consumed by around 420,000 homes.

“By opening up new opportunities in the energy market and creating green jobs along the way, this is a start of a long-term journey to decarbonise London’s iconic transport system,” said Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety health environment officer. “We...