Solar PV and Battery Storage Transformation at Lakeside North Harbour
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Solar recruitment UK demand is accelerating, and a major new project at Lakeside North Harbour in Portsmouth shows exactly why.
Portsmouth City Council is currently leading a major solar PV and battery storage transformation at the site, home to Astute and multiple commercial occupiers.
The project includes rooftop and car park canopy solar arrays, a 2MW battery energy storage system, and EV charging infrastructure. It will deliver significant carbon reductions, lower energy costs for occupiers, and support grid balancing while advancing net zero targets — and it’s exactly the kind of project driving renewable energy recruitment UK-wide right now.
Overview of the Lakeside Renewable Energy Project
Portsmouth City Council has launched a large-scale solar PV and battery storage initiative at Lakeside North Harbour, home to Astute and multiple commercial occupiers.
Solar PV Installations Across Buildings and Car Parks
The project includes 1,900 rooftop solar PV panels across five buildings and an additional 8,000 panels installed as solar car park canopies.
Together, these systems will deliver 4.5MW of renewable generation capacity and significantly reduce carbon emissions across the site — the kind of large-scale deployment that continues to drive demand for solar recruitment UK-wide, from installation through to long-term operations and asset management.
2MW Battery Energy Storage System and Grid Services
A 2MW BESS will store excess electricity for use during peak demand periods, improving energy efficiency and supporting National Grid balancing services.
The system will also enable occupiers to reduce reliance on external energy supply and improve cost stability. Projects like this are a major driver behind rising battery storage recruitment UK activity, with specialist BESS engineers and technicians increasingly hard to source.
EV Charging Infrastructure Expansion
New EV charging points will be installed across the site, with additional infrastructure to support future demand growth as more occupiers and visitors switch to electric vehicles over the coming years.
Commercial and Environmental Impact
The installation is expected to generate around 4.1 GWh annually, covering up to 38% of site electricity demand and saving approximately 992 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
This contributes directly to Portsmouth’s wider climate strategy and accelerates progress towards net zero targets, reinforcing the case for continued net zero energy recruitment investment across the South Coast and beyond as more local authorities look to replicate schemes like this one.
Reducing Energy Costs for Occupiers
The system enables on-site generation and consumption, helping businesses reduce exposure to rising electricity prices and giving occupiers more predictable running costs over the long term.
Supporting Portsmouth’s Net Zero Targets
The project strengthens the city’s position as a leader in local authority-led clean energy deployment, and adds to a growing pipeline of similar schemes across the UK that will continue to need skilled technical talent to deliver them.
What This Means for Solar Recruitment UK-Wide
Projects on this scale don’t just need funding and planning approval — they need people. Solar PV installers, BESS engineers, grid connection specialists, and project managers are all in high demand as councils and private developers accelerate similar schemes across the country, often competing for the same small pool of experienced technical candidates.
As Terry Buckel, CEO and Founder of Astute, put it: “This development reflects growing demand for skilled professionals across solar, battery storage, and grid integration sectors. It aligns closely with Astute’s mission of recruiting talent to support the UK’s energy transition.”
For employers delivering similar projects, working with specialist energy recruitment agencies UK-wide can significantly reduce time-to-hire for hard-to-source technical roles. Explore Astute’s renewable energy recruitment services, browse live solar and BESS vacancies, or speak to a consultant about your next hire.