Over £1.25 million of solar PV has been installed across Milford Docks and Pembroke Port, as part of a new venture between Milford Haven Port and The Green Electrician Limited. The UK’s third largest port will slash its carbon emissions by over 170,000 tonnes a year, thanks to the ambitious solar installation programme.

The venture – The Green Electrician South Wales – will install renewable energy technology on homes and businesses across South Wales, harnessing The Green Electrician’s existing infrastructure to help support the start-up.

Commenting on the formation of the joint venture, Alec Don, Chief Executive of Milford Haven Port said: “Renewable energy is now an established, essential and growing part of the UK’s future energy economy.  As the UK’s energy port, Milford Haven Port is committed to establishing a substantial presence in all parts of the renewable energy industry.

“This investment in solar panels on our buildings will not only reduce our own carbon footprint, but has underpinned the development of a joint venture with the potential to create seven new skilled jobs in the near future, and a business which can spread throughout South Wales in the coming months.” 

Don added that while the recent proposed changes to the feed-in tariff are expected to reduce demand in the short term, installation of solar PV panels will continue to be an attractive investment for many, due to a high degree of inflation protection built-in.  “This will particularly prove to be the case as technology improves and costs reduce, and traditional energy prices rise.”

Rupert Higgin of The Green Electrician, said: “We are very excited to establish The Green Electrician in South Wales as it builds on the strong base we have created in the north of the country where more than one third of our business is generated.  Milford Haven Port is an ideal partner for the business as it is intrinsically linked with energy and the initial contract gives a great platform to extend the benefits of renewable energy across the region.”