SNCF Renouvelables, our solar energy subsidiary
We’re starting to generate our own electricity from renewable sources. How? By installing solar panels on SNCF-owned land over the next decade to supply part of our current electricity needs.
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Short versionWhy did we create SNCF Renouvelables?
A world leader in transport—and now a renewable energy producer!
SNCF Group is France’s largest single consumer of electricity and its second-largest landholder. We took a major step toward energy independence by launching SNCF Renouvelables at the end of 2023. This new subsidiary is dedicated to producing renewable energy across the Group’s vast assets, including 12 million sq m of built structures and over 100,000 hectares of land.
We consume
9
terawatt-hours of electricity annually
Some
15,000
trains run on that electricity every day
And it powers
3,000
stations, plus industrial and tertiary buildings
Timeline?
SNCF Renouvelables aims to supply part of SNCF Group’s current electricity needs, delivering a first tranche of 200-300 MWp1 of solar capacity by 2030. Major planning is already underway to reach this goal By the end of 2025, we had evaluated over 2,000 hectares across France and conducted environmental impact assessments on 300. An advanced geographical data generation system is being used to carry out detailed site feasibility analyses. The first power plants are expected to come online in 2028. All projects are being developed in close collaboration with local communities.
Who’s involved?
Expert teams working on the project bring together a wide range of skillsets from across the Group, including:
- SNCF Voyageurs
- SNCF Réseau
- SNCF Gares & Connexions
- SNCF Immobilier
- Group R&D teams
- SNCF Group Procurement
Competitive tenders have already been launched for technical studies and equipment. These are helping to develop new expertise that will benefit the entire Group and make the best possible use of clearly defined assets.
How will this impact regional industrial development?
SNCF Renouvelables is set to take its place as a key player in regional industrial development. In 2024 it signed the French State’s Solar Pact, designed to encourage the emergence of a nationwide photovoltaic industry—a major focus of industrial development in the years ahead. The company has also established contact with other key actors including prefectures, Enedis, SER (the professional body promoting renewable energy nationwide), and UFE (the professional association representing the interests of the electricity sector in France). SNCF Group has now been identified as a player to be reckoned with.
2,000 ha
assessed across France
300 ha
site projects
2028:
first electricity generated by SNCF Renouvelables power plants
Mini Demonstrators now being deployed
We’re currently rolling out mini solar demonstrators, most on railway properties from trackside areas to embankments, fences, between-rail spaces and sleepers. Their photovoltaic panels will be tested for a year and monitored by sensors to assess energy output and durability.