The Victorian railway bridge at Blackfriars in the heart of London is about to undertake a journey of its own as it’s transformed into a landmark of a different kind. Constructed during the age of steam, Blackfriars station is about to become solar powered. Work has begun to install more than 4,400 solar panels on the station’s roof, that’s approximately 6,000 square metres of PV solar panels.
Blackfriars station, which already holds the record for being the first to be built on a bridge, is now about to become the world’s largest solar bridge. It’s estimated that the panels will generate 900,000 kWh of electricity per year, providing about half the energy needed to power this busy city station. This is expected to reduce the station’s carbon output by around 510 tonnes per year.
It’s also expected that the refurbishment, which includes sun pipes for natural lighting, an extended platform along the bridge itself and spacious modern areas will not only bring it up to date but will enable it to continue in its status as an iconic station for the city.
Blackfriars station was closed for two years starting in 2009 for the revamp and October 2011 sees the start of work to attach the solar panels. The station is set for completion in 2012 when the thousands of travellers that pass through its ticket barriers every day are promised longer trains and an improved service.
The refit costs £7.3 million and is part of a £5.5bn Thameslink project planned by Network Rail to reduce the station’s carbon emissions by 25 per cent per passenger kilometre by 2020. This should certainly go a long way towards achieving this goal.