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ABP plans to build UK’s largest floating solar scheme in Barrow

[ March 7, 2025   //   ]

Associated British Ports (ABP) has submitted a planning application for the UK’s largest floating solar project in Barrow, Cumbria.

The Barrow EnergyDock project will produce green energy mainly for the region’s advanced engineering sector, as well as better controlling the cost of electricity at the port. The solar array will have a generating capacity in the region of up to 40MWp, enough to power the equivalent of some14,000 homes a year.

The plans were included in ABP’s Masterplan launched in September last year.

ABP divisional port manager for the Northwest and Scotland, Bryan Davies,  said: “We’re excited to see the planning application submitted for Barrow EnergyDock, and to see the first element of ABP’s Port of Barrow Masterplan start to take shape. ABP’s team worked with the local Barrow team to design a Masterplan focussed on driving growth and strengthening the local economy in response to the significant investment coming to the region over the next ten to twenty years. Barrow EnergyDock is a pivotal step in realising our vision for a prosperous and sustainable future for Barrow.”

Group commercial manager (Energy), Kirsten Abbott, added: “We are thrilled to be submitting the planning application for the Barrow EnergyDock, which is a testament to ABP’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. It aligns with the goals set out in ABP’s sustainability strategy – Ready for Tomorrow – and represents a significant step towards a greener future for the Port.”

The solar panels will be mounted on floating pontoons fixed at an optimum angle for solar generation, secured to the bottom of the dock by anchors. The proposed array would cover around one-third of the available water area in the dock and would be made up of about 47,000 panels.  Current leisure activities in the dock will continue and there may be scope for further such use in the future.

Deploying floating solar in Cavendish Dock, rather than ground-mounted solar, will provide renewable energy whilst preserving port land for operational and manufacturing uses to support jobs and the wider economy.

ABP commissioned environmental and engineering consultancy Green Cat Renewables to help develop and deliver the planning application elements of the project. Two public consultation events were held in the autumn of last year to provide an opportunity for the local community to ask questions and give their views on the scheme.

ABP’s marine consultancy and survey company, ABPmer, carried out marine ecology and coastal waterbird surveys and assessments in and around Cavendish Dock. The results suggest that no significant impacts are expected from the development.

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