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THE spiralling cost of electricity and gas is among the latest headwinds hitting Britain’s heritage rail sector – but several lines are pulling out all the stops to implement measures to mitigate their exposure to this latest unwelcome expense.
Faced with the prospect of its annual electricity bill trebling, the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway (EABSR) is planning to install solar panels on the roofs of its rolling stock storage and maintenance buildings. It has been working with green energy contractor Squirrel Energy.
Rob Shaw, EABSR chairman told The RM: “We looked at solar panels about 18 months ago. However, the energy crisis has made it all the more urgent. Our electricity bill is currently £30,000 per annum – but in a worst case scenario we are looking at £60,000 to £90,00 a year.
“Solar panels will cost circa £300,000, plus £80,000 to upgrade the local electricity network infrastructure.
“It is a gamechanger. The difference installing panels could make to our bottom line over 25 years is about £2.7 million – which could be higher if our bills increase further. The greatest risk is doing nothing. We are fortunate to have a lot of roof space on which to install solar panels.”
In terms of finance, Mr Shaw said: “We have worked hard to ensure we are now debt-free. We have record revenues, but we are spending it on maintaining our infrastructure, including rolling stock and track. We do not have spare funds for solar panels, so we have approached our members and supporters for loans to make us more sustainable for the future and to stop us haemorrhaging money on electricity bills.”
By mid-September, the railway had in place funding for 90% of the scheme, by way of donations and loans. The final 10% was expected to be transferred by the end of the month.
Analysis
Meanwhile, at a recent meeting the Board of the Bluebell Railway plc – supported by the Preservation Society – directors approved a project to install solar panels on the roofs of the loco workshop and the workshop facility at Sheffield Park station.
In the spring of last year, a feasibility study into the use of solar power was carried out using money
