City Corporation switches on £1m solar array in a bid to reduce market’s reliance on grid power
New Spitalfields Market has completed what is being described as London’s largest rooftop solar installation, following a £1 million renewable energy project by City of London Corporation.
The Walthamstow market is the largest revenue-earning wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market in the UK and supplies fresh produce to businesses across London and beyond.
The solar installation, provided by Vital Energi, consists of 2,730 solar panels forming a 1.4 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar array, and is described as the largest rooftop solar installation in London.
The system is expected to generate around 1.27 gigawatt-hours of electricity each year, enough to power approximately 470 homes. This is expected to cut carbon emissions by approximately 225 tonnes each year.
This will help supply the market’s significant energy requirements, including round-the-clock refrigeration, lighting and infrastructure operations. By generating more of its electricity on site, the market will reduce its reliance on grid power while improving its long-term operational resilience.
Mark Wheatley, chairman of the City of London Corporation Markets Board, said: “New Spitalfields Market is a vital part of London’s fresh produce supply chain, serving businesses and communities across the capital every day.
“This investment helps ensure the market remains a modern, efficient and well-equipped facility, supporting traders and customers while strengthening its long-term future,” he added.
The solar array is one of the City Corporation’s most significant renewable energy investments to date, forming part of the organisation’s commitment to achieving net zero across its own operations by 2027.
It also supports the market’s continued operation as a key wholesale food hub, demonstrating how large-scale renewable energy can be integrated into critical commercial infrastructure.
Chris Hayward, policy chairman at the City of London Corporation, said: “Projects like this show how practical climate action can deliver benefits far beyond carbon reduction and are yet another example of the City Corporation delivering on its Climate Action Strategy.
“As the UK experiences periods of extreme heat and rising electricity demand for cooling, this project demonstrates the value of investing in local renewable energy generation,” he added.
