Amber worked with Marks and Spencer to install the UK’s largest roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (‘PV’) array on its East Midlands distribution centre in Castle Donington.

Sector

Sustainable Energy

Status

Divested

Location

Castle Donington, England

Ownership

100%

Financial close

2014

Concession term

20 years

THE BACKGROUND

It is a 24,272 PV panel installation and will lower M&S’s carbon footprint by 48,000 tonnes over 20 years. The solar PV system spans the site’s 900,000 sq ft roof and in its first year of operation exceeded generation targets of 5,000 MWh of electricity - enough to power 1,190 houses.

Amber committed £6.1 million to fund the project and worked closely with M&S and the building landlord.

Amber completed the successful divestment of this project in June 2022.

Project highlights include:

• Opportunity for improved rental yield and letting ability for the building owner
• Energy bill savings and carbon reduction credits for the tenant
• 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with M&S to purchase all the electricity generated by the solar PV system
• 20-year revenue from Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC) for the clean energy produced.

SDGs Supported

Facts

Project capital cost

£6.1_m

Total floor space

900,000_ft²

Renewable energy generated

5,000 MWh

SDGs Supported