Electric Buses, Trains and Light Rail In NSW To Run On Renewable Energy By 2027
Image: Transport for NSW/Facebook
A new deal from the NSW government will see electric bus, train, and light rail services across the state running solely on renewable energy.
The $1.9 billion deal with Snowy Energy was announced on Friday, and marks the first time all public transport operations will be powered under a single supply deal.
“Transport uses almost as much electricity as all other government agencies in NSW combined,” said transport minister John Graham. “It’s important we use our buying power responsibly and get the best possible deal for taxpayers, which is what we have achieved.
“Cost of living pressures are real for household and government budgets. This contract reduces costs and moves us towards better environmental outcomes while we deliver a reliable public transport network.”
Transport operations use almost as much power as all other NSW public sector agencies combined. Nationally, it’s set to become one of the largest source of emissions by 2030.
The government says the switch to renewable power will see “significant emissions reductions”, preventing the release of more than the annual 800,000 tonnes of CO2 produced by conventional power. Transport for NSW is aiming to reduce operational emissions by 65% by 2030, and reach net zero by 2035.
“We’ve also been able to deliver significant reductions in energy demand through initiatives like rooftop solar at the new Sydney Trains’ Mortdale train maintenance facility and the Clyde engineering hub,” said Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray.
“At Mortdale alone, 2,000 solar panels have been installed, generating 1,317 Megawatt hours of clean renewable electricity and avoiding around 870 tonnes of carbon emissions per annum, while reducing the amount of electricity that needs to be bought from the grid.”
Last year, Sydney’s first purpose-built electric bus depot was announced for Macquarie Park as part of the Minns government’s plan to switch from the 8000-strong diesel and gas fleet, to battery electric buses over the next two decades.
The government’s Zero Emissions Bus Program will see more than 1,200 new electric buses delivered by 2028, with 500 already on the road.
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