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New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
French railway operator SNCF Voyageurs has signed two long-term renewable power agreements to power France’s rail network, in the latest step by the national railway operator to increase its share of renewable electricity.
SNCF Voyageurs has signed two corporate power purchase agreements (CPPAs) with SNCF Energie, Octopus Energy Generation and BayWa r.e.
The agreements will see SNCF Voyageurs supplied with solar electricity from two new sites – Greenberry and Fontenet 3 – expected to produce more than 100 GWh/y.
Over the 25-year contracts, the solar farms are projected to generate a total of 2.5 TWh of electricity, equivalent to the power needed for roughly 15,500 high-speed TGV trips between Paris and Rennes each year.
Built on former military bases in central and south-west France, the solar sites will turn previously unused land into renewable energy hubs.
Long-term Neoen deals boost SNCF’s renewable drive
The Octopus and BayWa r.e agreements follow another major move by SNCF Energie, which in July signed four additional CPPAs with French renewables company Neoen.
Under the new 20–25-year contracts, Neoen will supply 137 GWh of solar electricity per year to SNCF Voyageurs starting in January 2026. The power will come from four solar farms – Romilly, Loirécopark, Champblanc, and Labouheyre – with a combined capacity of 111 MWp.
Together, the projects will generate enough energy each year to cover around 11,000 high-speed train trips between Paris and Bordeaux.
SNCF Voyageurs aims to power 40–50% of its train operations with renewable electricity by 2027–2028, including around 20% under long-term PPAs, in line with the company’s climate strategy and commitments to France’s transport authorities.
