Rail village powered by £2 million solar array

A “state-of-the-art” rail technology hub in East Yorkshire is taking a big step toward net-zero with new sustainability initiatives. 

Siemens Mobility has installed 1,700 solar panels at its Goole Rail Village, generating enough clean energy to power more than 150 homes.

Sited on the trucking, final assembly and commissioning buildings, the £2 million solar array, covering almost 20,000sq metres, ensures the site runs on renewable energy, with excess power fed back to the grid. 

Alongside this, Siemens has invested in air source heat pumps to cut carbon emissions by 88 per cent and is expanding EV charging facilities across the site.

Officials at Siemens, which has set ambitious targets to reduce emissions in its own operations by 55 per cent by 2025 and 90 per cent by 2030, say Goole will “lead the way on decarbonisation for the industry”.

Finbarr Dowling, Director of Localisation at Siemens Mobility, said: “Our vision from the very outset was for the Goole Rail Village to be net-zero in its operations by 2030, with this state-of-the-art facility playing a central part in our mission to transform rail travel and transport in the UK.

“This strategic focus has informed the development of a rail cluster that leads the way on decarbonisation for the industry, with facilities that are streets ahead of many across the sector. 

“It also underpins everything we do at Goole, ensuring that our buildings, energy generation and consumption, how we work, and travel to and from the site all minimise our carbon impact.  

“That is hugely important for us, as a business committed to the highest sustainability standards, as well as to our customers, stakeholders and partners as they strive for excellence in environmental responsibility.”

David Harris, construction project manager at Siemens Mobility, added: “We’ve considered how best to minimise our carbon footprint at every stage, including throughout the development and construction phases.

“With the rail manufacturing facility now operational, we’re seeing the full benefits of building sustainability into the project from day one.”

The Goole site, a £240 million investment, is producing new Piccadilly line trains for Transport for London (TfL), with future UK mainline trains, including battery bi-mode models, also set to be built there. 

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