Government Clean Power Action Plan - warehouse impact

THE CLEAN Power 2030 Plan reads ‘There is great potential for rooftop solar installation across the UK’s warehouse and industrial sectors’.

It references the research project commissioned by UKWA, which indicates that the UK’s 20% largest warehouses alone can provide 75 million sq m of roof space, with the potential to support up to 15 GW of rooftop solar capacity.

UKWA CEO Clare Bottle said: “We commissioned research into the benefits and barriers of solar power on warehouse rooftops in 2022, against a background of rising prices and compromised energy security due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Our report revealed potential annual savings of £3bn for the warehousing sector, carbon reductions of 2 million tonnes  per year, and critically, the opportunity for the sector to double UK’s solar capacity.

“Since then we have engaged tirelessly with Government; including hosting parliamentary receptions, convening a round table discussion with representatives from DESNZ (Department of Energy Security & Net Zero), and our policy team has responded to various consultations on behalf of members.

“Furthermore, UKWA were represented on the Government’s Solar Task Force Rooftop Subcommittee to make the voice of warehousing heard.

“This reference to our work and the potential our sector offers in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan is the first time the Government has directly acknowledged the important role we have to play. This breakthrough is hugely encouraging, and we anticipate further progress now that warehousing is firmly on the Government’s agenda.”

The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan can be read here.