Last updated at 14:52, Monday, 04 February 2013

The Port of Workington has had solar power panels installed as part of a multi-million pound regeneration programme.

Cumbrian renewable energy firm Sundog Energy has carried out the work at the flagship port.

The new roof-top solar system forms part of the Cumbria County Council-owned port’s ongoing £5.7 million regeneration, jointly funded by Britain’s Energy Coast, Nuclear Management Partners and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Comprising 200 high-efficiency 250kWp solar PV panels, the system will provide the port with free ‘green’ renewable energy, harnessed directly from the sun, to offset its daytime running costs.

Martin Cotterell, founder and technical director of Sundog Energy, said: “With payback for a system like this expected in little over seven years and a projected IRR of around 15%, solar PV is a really compelling proposition for any business at this time.”

“It makes perfect sense for other businesses in the area to follow the port’s lead and capitalise on their roof spaces, start saving money, and help turn the region into one of the most energy-efficient in the country.”

Port of Workington’s port manager Jeremy Lihou said: “As the person driving the project, I would like to express our satisfaction with the installation so far and we look forward to benefiting from the operational savings and generating a regular income from the FIT payments.

“This is yet another significant milestone in the work being undertaken at this time to turn our port into a serious, multi-modal terminal and provide a vital link in the county’s infrastructure moving forward.”

The solar power system is expected to generate 38,440 kWh (units) of electricity in the first year and will also earn attractive feed-in tariff payments for all the power it generates, providing an index-linked income for the next 20 years.

Sundog’s headquarters are at the North Lakes Business Park near Penrith.

First published at 16:41, Friday, 01 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk