Larkhill Garrison's Solar Project: A Step Towards Sustainability

2025 sees the UK Army more dedicated than ever to sustainability and net zero goals. The UK Army is focusing on reducing emissions from its built estate by at least 30% and investing in renewable energy and sustainable technologies like electric vehicles and microgrids. The goal is to have net-zero carbon emissions from operations and infrastructure by 2040 and for defence equipment by 2050.

Bringing these ambitions to fruition requires clear sustainability plans which focus on reducing emissions across the army’s operations as well as in its supply chain. For the army to be part of a resilient and secure UK defence sector it will need to continue adopting innovative sustainability measures. 

Construction works have recently been completed on the installation of over 1,370 roof mounted solar panels at Larkhill Garrison which marks a significant step in the army’s commitment to sustainability and underscores its unwavering commitment to achieving net zero by 2050. This project aligns with the army’s broader strategy to reduce its environmental footprint and to transition toward greener operations. 

The newly installed photovoltaic (PV) panels will not only generate electricity to power Larkhill's buildings, but any surplus will be fed into a private wire network redistributing electricity to other key military sites including Bulford, Tidworth, and Perham Down.

This interconnected energy system improves efficiency while reinforcing the Army’s shift toward renewable solutions. The scale of the project indicates a deliberate move to integrate sustainable energy into military infrastructure cutting carbon emissions while ensuring operational strength. 

The project is the latest initiative under the Army’s Project Prometheus, the army’s ambitious plan which aims to deploy around 80 ground-mounted solar farms and roof mounted solar arrays at multiple locations across the Army estate over the next decade. 

At the official switch-on ceremony held on March 26, Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director of Basing & Infrastructure and the Army’s Sustainability Champion, lauded the project as a huge success:

“I’m thrilled to see the completion of our latest solar installation. By increasing the supply of green energy, we are creating a more sustainable and cost-efficient Army estate, ensuring the protection of both our operational capabilities and the environments where soldiers live, work, and train.”

He highlighted that, in recent years, almost 11,000 solar panels have been installed at vehicle garages, offices, stores and training assets across the Salisbury Plain training Area garrisons covering over 18,000 square metres of roof space. 

This has saved an estimated 600 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually which is equivalent to an impressive 27,000 trees. 

To accomplish a project on this scale requires strong collaboration. Aspire Defence Services Ltd carried out the entire solar installation, working with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) under Project Allenby/Connaught. This partnership meant that there was a smooth and ordered integration of solar technology into the Army’s infrastructure, delivering both environmental and operational benefits.

With Project Prometheus picking up momentum, the Larkhill solar initiative marks the start of a much greater transformation. This transformation could see the Army redefining its approach to energy, sustainability, and self-sufficiency in the years ahead. The Army’s future is looking cleaner and brighter.

Barry Ray, DIO Regional Delivery Lead, commented on the Larkhill project's success: 

“It’s fantastic to see the completion of the latest solar panel installation as part of Project Prometheus. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Aspire Private Finance Initiative (PFI) team, we are playing a key role in helping the MOD meet the government’s Net Zero targets and making the Defence estate more sustainable. The energy generated will power buildings at Larkhill, with any surplus contributing to meeting demand across the PFI estate, benefiting the wider community.”

Richard Tindal, Capital Projects Director at Aspire Defence Services Ltd, added: 

“We’re proud to support the Army and DIO on this crucial step in decarbonising their estate. Our long-standing partnership has allowed us to work closely together to identify opportunities for sustainability improvements, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future.”

In 2025 the British Army is not only pursuing sustainability through the Prometheus Project which focuses on deploying solar arrays for renewable energy but also through Project TERRA which addresses the impact of climate change on military operations and personnel.

Project TERRA concentrates on developing a comprehensive, costed, and profiled plan to address carbon targets, climate change, and sustainability initiatives within the Army. 

The Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) organization has an environmental strategy which is focused on lowering the organisation’s carbon footprint, promoting sustainable energies, and offsetting emissions. The organisation is also committed to having net-zero operations and infrastructure carbon emissions across all sites by 2040 and enabling defence to achieve net-zero emissions for defence equipment by 2050. 

Further to this Armed Forces charities have access to a new toolkit which can help them take the practical steps required to achieve a greener and more socially responsible future. 

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) also has a sustainable development strategy that gives the direction needed on how defence must become increasingly sustainable, drawing on the Defence Strategic Direction and the Defence Plan. Their sustainable MOD strategy for the years between 2015 and 2025 outlines key objectives and performance monitoring mechanisms for achieving sustainability goals. 

The MOD’s overall policy requires the reduction of adverse environmental effects, compliance with relevant legislation, and protection of the environment. 

If the Armed Forces are to achieve Net Zero, solutions need to be innovative whilst also mitigating risk, complying with regulations, and minimising costs.