London Trams depot to become cleaner, greener and cheaper

30 March 2023
The grant will help create the first of a number of low carbon depots on the TfL network
"The planned improvements at the Therapia Lane depot are key to demonstrate that removal of fossils fuels from large, hard-to-decarbonise depots is feasible."
Mark Davis
TfL's General Manager for London Trams
  • Upgrades part of TfL's work to adapt its systems to reduce the impacts of climate change and to meet the Mayor's goal of a net-zero London by 2030 
  • Changes will remove the dependence on expensive and less environmentally friendly fossil fuels as well as offer significant savings on running costs 

The London Trams depot on Therapia Lane in Croydon is set to become cleaner, greener and cheaper to run after it secured funding from Government to help decarbonise this part of the operational tramway. 

The funding was awarded as part of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme which aims to provide grants for public sector bodies in England to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures. 

The grant of £592,000 will be delivered by Salix Finance and will help part-fund several improvements at the London Trams depot which, when complete, will be the first of a number of low carbon depots on the Transport for London (TfL) network. The remaining funding is being covered by TfL's own decarbonisation investment which is part of the current Business Plan. 

The project will see the heating systems upgraded with a mixture of efficient heat pumps and infrared panel heaters that will replace ageing and inefficient gas boilers. The additional electricity consumption from the new heating system is planned to be offset by using 1,800m2 of south-facing roof space for solar panels, as well as other energy efficiency measures such as improved insulation and LED lighting. 

Mark Davis, TfL's General Manager for London Trams, said: "The planned improvements at the Therapia Lane depot are key to demonstrate that removal of fossils fuels from large, hard-to-decarbonise depots is feasible. Once this work is complete, the depot will not only be cleaner and greener it will be better shielded from more costly fossil fuels to help provide significant cost savings." 

Chiara Lorenzetti, Salix Assistant Director, said: "We are looking forward to working on the London Trams project to help deliver this innovative decarbonisation project. 

"It is very exciting as this London Trams depot will be the first of a number of low carbon depots on the Transport for London (TfL) network. 

"The funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will make a positive impact to a greener future for the network." 

The upgrade of the Therapia Lane depot is just part of TfL's wider work to further decarbonise London's transport network and adapt its systems to reduce the impacts of climate change. As one of the largest consumers of electricity in the UK, TfL has recently begun tendering for a Power Purchase Agreement that will be the first step towards ensuring it continues its journey towards the Mayor of London's goal of a net-zero London by 2030. As part of the current tender, TfL will look to procure between 80 and 200 GWh per year to provide up to 10 per cent of TfL's required electricity from renewable sources. When the contract is awarded next year, it is anticipated to be the largest such agreement in the public sector in the UK.  

TfL is also working to further reduce its environmental impact across its wider network by upgrading lights to use LEDs to reduce electricity consumption, as well as actively seeking new locations for planting trees and installing other forms of green infrastructure. It is also maintaining and developing urban greening features, especially in outer London where there is more greenery, which can support better drainage and reduce flooding. 

Planning is now underway with work on the improvements at the depot expected to be complete by 2025.  

Notes to editors

  • The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, initiated by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, provides grants for public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures.  
  • The scheme supports the aim of reducing emissions from public sector buildings by 75 per cent by 2037, compared to a 2017 baseline, as set out in the Heat and Buildings Strategy and the Net Zero Strategy in October 2021.