TfL Therapia Lane: Croydon’s First Gas-Free Tram Depot

Key Points

• Therapia Lane depot in Croydon has become Transport for London’s (TfL) first operational site to eliminate fossil gas usage from its operations.​
• Major upgrades include replacement of gas boilers with low-carbon electric heat pumps, infrared panel heaters, and on-demand electric heaters for hot water.​
• Over 300 rooftop solar panels covering 1,800m² generate 187kWp of clean energy to offset increased electricity demand.​
• Additional efficiency measures encompass improved insulation, LED lighting, and smart sensor technology.​
• Annual carbon savings of 183 tonnes of CO₂e, equivalent to emissions from more than 80 UK households or a modern housing development.​
• The depot, opened 27 years ago, underwent its biggest overhaul in a live operational environment.​
• Project part-funded by UK Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund.​
• Statements from Lilli Matson (TfL Chief Safety Health and Environment Officer), Mete Coban (Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy), Martin McCluskey (Minister for Energy Consumers), and apprentice Kyrel Rose.​
• Upgrade informs decarbonisation of other TfL sites like Palestra House and stations including Aldgate, Baker Street, Oxford Circus, and Victoria.​
• Supports TfL’s net-zero goals, green skills development, and Mayor’s carbon-neutral London by 2030 ambition.​

What Upgrades Were Made at Therapia Lane Depot?

The Therapia Lane tram depot, operated by TfL and home to London Trams, has eliminated fossil gas through a full transition to electric systems. As reported across multiple outlets, outdated gas boilers were replaced by low-carbon electric heat pumps, infrared panel heaters that direct warmth precisely where needed, and energy-efficient on-demand electric heaters for hot water delivery. More than 300 solar panels span 1,800m² of rooftop space, generating 187kWp of on-site clean energy to counterbalance the extra electricity use from heating.​

Energy efficiency enhancements include superior insulation, LED lighting throughout, and smart sensors for ventilation, cooling, and heating adjustments. According to TfL statements covered in Inside Croydon, these changes create a brighter, more comfortable workspace for staff while delivering operational cost savings. The works, the depot’s largest since opening 27 years ago, proceeded in a live, round-the-clock operational setting without disrupting tram services, which remain powered by grid sources.​

How Significant Are the Carbon Savings?

The upgrades at Therapia Lane are projected to reduce carbon emissions by 183 tonnes of CO₂e each year. Rail Technology Magazine reports this figure equates to the annual footprint of more than 80 UK households or a modern housing development. Inside Croydon echoes that these savings stem from solar offsets, efficient heating, and reduced grid reliance, providing long-term sustainability alongside financial benefits.​

TfL emphasises the depot’s role as one of south London’s busiest operational spaces, proving large complex buildings can go fully electric. As detailed in coverage, the project avoids heat loss common in traditional systems, enhancing overall efficiency.​

What Did TfL’s Lilli Matson Say?

Lilli Matson, TfL’s Chief Safety Health and Environment Officer, highlighted the achievement’s broader implications. As reported by Rail Technology Magazine, Lilli Matson of TfL stated:

“The decarbonisation of Therapia Lane depot, one of the busiest operational spaces in south London, shows that it is possible to eliminate the use of fossil fuels from large, complex buildings as it runs on fully electric infrastructure. It is vital we invest now in making our operations cleaner and greener to reduce our emissions and build the next generation of green skills, further supporting the Mayor’s ambition of a carbon neutral capital by 2030.”​

Inside Croydon and other sources confirm TfL’s position that the live-environment work will guide decarbonisation of other estate buildings and national depots.​

What Is Mete Coban’s View on the Project?

Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, praised the transition. As reported by Inside Croydon, Mete Coban said:

“It’s fantastic news that Therapia Lane depot has become TfL’s first depot to remove fossil fuel gas usage by upgrading its heating system and installing hundreds of new solar panels. This green transition will help improve energy efficiency and save money, showing that sites like this have an important role in reducing the impacts of climate change.”​

Rail Technology Magazine quotes Mete Coban adding:

“The Mayor and I will continue to work with partners to ensure we can deliver a greener and fairer London for everyone.”

Transport and Energy coverage aligns, noting the project’s role in climate impact reduction.​

Who Else Commented on the Gas-Free Milestone?

Martin McCluskey, the Minister for Energy Consumers, endorsed the initiative. As per Inside Croydon, Martin McCluskey stated:

“This project shows how clean power is benefiting communities across Britain – creating skilled jobs and strengthening our public services with the potential to create savings that can be invested into improving services for passengers. Facilities like Therapia Lane will play a vital part in our clean energy transition.”​

Vital Energi, the supplier involved, expressed pride via LinkedIn coverage:

“We’re proud to have delivered this landmark project at Therapia Lane, which demonstrates how operational sites can transition away from fossil fuels without compromising performance. By combining advanced electric heating solutions with on-site solar generation, we’ve created a system that is both energy efficient and future ready. This project not only cuts carbon emissions, but also sets a blueprint for decarbonising similar facilities across the UK. In partnership with TfL we’re delivering decarbonisation projects across their estate and accelerating their journey to net zero, while developing the green skills that will power a sustainable future.”​

How Does This Fit TfL’s Decarbonisation Strategy?

The Therapia Lane project advances TfL’s goal to decarbonise its estate and achieve net-zero status. Coverage notes it forms part of wider efforts, including a Power Purchase Agreement for an 80 GWh solar facility to power DLR and trams for 15 years, and a private wire tender for up to 64 MW zero-carbon electricity to the Underground.​

TfL is also boosting biodiversity with 390,000 m² of wildflower verges and urban greening against flooding. Similar upgrades target Palestra House headquarters with heat pumps and sensors, slashing over 1,500 tonnes of emissions yearly, plus stations like Aldgate, Baker Street, Oxford Circus, and Victoria.​

What Role Do Green Skills Play Here?

The initiative addresses the green skills gap through apprenticeships and placements. Rail Technology Magazine features Building Services Engineering apprentice Kyrel Rose, who said:

“Whilst working on the Therapia Lane trams depot project, I gained first-hand exposure to a live rail infrastructure environment, whilst gaining a better understanding of how design, construction, and operational requirements come together on a large transport project. My awareness of site safety procedures has improved and how works are planned around an active operational environment. It also gave me valuable experience linking drawings and design intent to what is installed on site, which helped reinforce engineering principles in a real-world context. The site tour was a personal highlight, particularly seeing the job come towards completion, how much work has been put in to meet deadlines and the vast change there has been.”​

Funding from the Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund supports such training, as noted across reports.​

What Funding Supported the Therapia Lane Overhaul?

Government schemes provided crucial part-funding. Inside Croydon and Rail Technology Magazine confirm backing from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund, administered by Salix and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.​

These resources enable replication at other sites, underscoring public-private collaboration in the clean energy shift.​

Will Croydon’s Mayor Jason Perry Respond?

Inside Croydon mentions no immediate comment from Jason Perry, Mayor of Croydon, though he is expected to remark and claim credit soon. The outlet notes anticipation of his involvement, given the depot’s location.