AFTER two years of work, the Port of Milford Haven’s solar park at Liddeston Ridge is officially up and running.

Although currently only running at 25 per cent capacity, by next week the 20,000 panel solar park will generate enough electricity to power 1,000 homes.

Tim James, the Port’s renewable energy manager, said the switch-on was a proud moment for the whole team.

"It has been a lot of hard work to get us to this point. Over two years has been spent taking the project from an idea to fruition,” he said.

“It’s renewable energy at its purest: great for the environment and a long-term revenue stream for the Port, as well."

The profits generated from the project will be reinvested back into the Port’s activities as a Trust Port.

An important element of the project has been the careful management of the surrounding habitat and over the coming months work will be undertaken to create a wildflower meadow attracting a variety of insects, birds and animals.

The construction has also been good news for local businesses, with more than £500,000 spent locally on trades and materials.

The Port is now pushing ahead with ambitious plans to put solar panels on the historic Sunderland Hangars in Pembroke Dock.

An application has been submitted to install 400 panels on the Grade II listed buildings.

Built in 1934 to house the Sunderland Flying boats that kept convoys of supplies safe from German attack, the hangars have vast roof space making them a perfect site for solar panels.

Mr James said that, if successful, the project would take the Port’s total carbon emission savings to more 2,200 tonnes each year.