Danish State Railways to offtake solar power from European Energy

The Danish State Railways (DSB) has agreed to procure 80 GWh of green power from a new solar park to be built by domestic renewables developer European Energy A/S on the island of Lolland, Eastern Denmark.

The power off-take deal underpins the construction of a photovoltaic (PV) farm with an expected annual output of 262 GW, European Energy said on Monday. To be installed at Rodby Harbour in Lolland Municipality, the 253-ha (625-acre) plant will be capable of generating enough electricity to meet the electricity demand of almost 65,000 homes per year. Its construction is due to commence after the summer holidays.

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The Lidso PV farm, set to be one of the largest ones in Denmark, is expected to go online and start delivering power to DSB in 2025. The electricity volumes contracted by the railway operator will be equal to 50% of the current electricity consumption of its light rail network in Copenhagen.

The arrangement supports DSB’s goal of cutting the climate impact of its operations by 98% by the end of the decade from 2019 levels. “With this agreement, we contribute to a faster transition to green electricity in Denmark, thereby strengthening the position of trains as one of the most climate-friendly modes of travel,” said Aske Wieth-Knudsen, head of sustainability at DSB.