LNER Trials Trackside Wind Turbines in UK Rail First

LNER has partnered with clean energy specialist Treeva to trial a new form of renewable energy generation on the UK rail network, using wind created by passing trains.

The pilot project, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, has seen three small-scale turbines installed alongside the East Coast Main Line at Hitachi Rail’s Craigentinny depot in Edinburgh. The units, each around six feet tall, are made using repurposed materials and have been positioned to capture airflow generated by trains as they pass.

Unlike traditional renewable energy systems, the turbines do not require a connection to the electricity grid. Instead, they are designed to be installed on unused land near railway lines, where they can harness otherwise wasted energy and convert it into usable power.

The energy produced during the trial will be monitored and used to power small-scale applications, helping to assess how the technology could be expanded across the wider rail network.

Early estimates suggest a single turbine could generate enough electricity to supply a portion of a small station’s lighting, operate several CCTV cameras, or run passenger information displays. A cluster of five turbines could cut carbon emissions by more than 12,000kg annually—roughly equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting 500 trees.

Treeva, a UK-based start-up, developed the technology through the Future Labs innovation programme, which brings together emerging companies and rail operators to explore new solutions for industry challenges. Following initial collaboration and recognition through the programme, the concept has now moved into live testing.

The turbines, playfully named by LNER staff, will remain in place for at least six months while performance data is collected.

Anjali Devadasan, CEO and co-founder of Treeva, said the project demonstrates how transport infrastructure can be used more creatively to generate clean energy. She added that capturing energy from passing trains could transform underused railway land into a valuable resource while supporting more sustainable operations.

Mark Haymer, Innovation Product Owner at LNER, described the installation as an important step in exploring new technologies. He credited the collaboration between Treeva, Hitachi, Network Rail and LNER for enabling the safe deployment of the turbines.

He added that the data gathered from the trial will help inform future development, supporting efforts across the rail sector to reduce carbon emissions and further strengthen rail’s position as a sustainable mode of transport.