Speaking at a logistics and sustainability event at DSV on the Brackmills Industrial Estate in Northampton, Chief Executive of the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) Clare Bottle called for the government to publish its Solar Roadmap urgently, as warehouse companies keen to embrace rooftop solar power continue to face impossible barriers.
“The Solar Taskforce was initially launched in May 2023 with the aim of accelerating uptake of both ground mount and rooftop solar,” she said. “The change of government meant that the publication of the promised Solar Roadmap was pushed back from Spring 2024.
We’re now in Spring 2025 and there’s still no sign of publication – it’s simply not good enough!”
Businesses attending the Brackmills event, which was jointly hosted by UKWA and the Brackmills BID (Business Improvement District) team, heard from Tim O’Callaghan of not-for-profit social enterprise Electric Places that the network constraints preventing warehouses and other commercial buildings from implementing rooftop solar power at Brackmills centred around both local and upstream limitations, specifically at the Grendon GSP (Grid Supply Point).
Tim confirmed that currently Grendon GSP has zero headroom for new generation and while upgrades are planned, these are not scheduled until 2037.
“This is the picture for warehouses up and down the country,” Clare stated. “Our milestone report of 2022 highlighted tremendous benefits not just for our sector, but for the whole of the UK, and The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, published in December, acknowledged the important role of warehouses in achieving net zero goals. Yet the government appears to be dragging its feet in spelling out how and when the National Grid infrastructure will be upgraded and planning simplified to enable companies like
those on Brackmills Industrial Estate to transition to renewable energy sources that are cheaper and greener.”
Brackmills is a key logistics centre situated on a 730 acre site at the heart of the ‘golden triangle’ in Northampton. It is home to 180+ businesses including regional, national and international organisations across the logistics, manufacturing and service sectors.
Unlock your potential with UKWA membership
Don’t miss out on the chance to supercharge your business journey. Embrace the power of UKWA membership today and unlock a world of possibilities!
Read more of our latest news and articles below
