Port of Liverpool Marks Major Rooftop Solar Milestone, Backed by E.ON and Industry Leaders

A major clean-energy milestone has been reached at the Port of Liverpool, where a large-scale rooftop solar installation is now live and generating electricity. The development was highlighted this week by Bill Esterson, who welcomed the progress as a positive step for energy security, sustainability and skills development.

The project has been delivered by E.ON UK in partnership with Peel Ports Group, one of the UK’s leading port operators. Around 7,000 solar panels installed on warehouse roofs at Alexandra Dock are now connected to the grid, marking the first operational phase of what is expected to become the largest rooftop solar array in the country.

Once fully completed, the long-term scheme is projected to generate around 25 megawatts of electricity and supply approximately a quarter of the port’s annual energy needs. The installation forms part of a 25-year energy partnership and will ultimately span multiple buildings across the port estate, making use of existing infrastructure rather than new land development.

Beyond power generation, the project is expected to deliver substantial environmental benefits. When operating at full capacity, the rooftop system is forecast to cut carbon emissions by several thousand tonnes each year, supporting Peel Ports’ wider commitment to increasing renewable energy use and progressing toward net-zero operations by 2040. The approach also reduces reliance on external energy sources at a time when resilience and cost control remain priorities for large industrial sites.

Esterson also drew attention to the project’s role in job creation and skills development. During a site visit, he met apprentices working on the installation, highlighting how large-scale renewable projects can provide practical training and long-term employment opportunities as the UK transitions to cleaner energy sources. As Chair of Parliament’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, Esterson has consistently emphasised the importance of linking decarbonisation with economic opportunity.

The Liverpool installation reflects a broader increase in rooftop solar activity across the UK, with both commercial and industrial buildings playing a growing role in expanding renewable capacity. Rooftop projects are seen as a particularly efficient way to scale up solar generation, avoiding planning constraints while delivering power close to where it is used.

As further phases of the Port of Liverpool project come online, it is expected to become a flagship example of how heavy infrastructure and logistics hubs can integrate renewable energy at scale. The milestone underscores the role of collaboration between energy providers, private operators and policymakers in delivering progress on climate goals while supporting jobs, investment and regional economic growth.