Hitachi Rail to go all-renewable in UK under deal with ScottishPower

The rail subsidiary of Japan’s Hitachi Ltd (TYO:6501) has clinched a deal to procure 100% renewable electricity for all of its train manufacturing and maintenance facilities in the UK, it said on Wednesday.

Under a contract with energy group ScottishPower, Hitachi Rail will get 21 GWh of electricity annually from wind, solar photovoltaic (PV) and hydropower plants. Supplies will be made for three years.

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“Companies changing how they source energy, whether through Power Purchase Agreements or through top tier Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin certificates like this one, will make a significant difference to the UK achieving its climate change targets,” said Andrew Ward, CEO Retail at ScottishPower.

The power off-take deal aligns with Hitachi Rail’s goal to cut its carbon emissions by 30.5% in the 2020-2021 period and achieve carbon neutrality for all of its sites across the world by 2030.

Hitachi Rail is responsible for the maintenance of over 200 trains at depots across England, Wales and Scotland.