Seventeen students and staff from Hugh Baird College – an Ofsted-rated Outstanding further education college – were recently welcomed to Peel Ports Group at the Port of Liverpool for an immersive visit showcasing one of the UK’s largest renewable energy projects.
Organised in partnership with E.ON, the visit provided students studying the College’s Level 3 Electrical Installation course with a first-hand look at real-world applications of green technologies.
The day began with a full health and safety induction to emphasise the importance of PPE and site compliance, and key aspects of working in industrial environments. Students then toured the New Alex Shed solar PV installation, inverters, HV transformers, and on-site wind turbines, offering a close-up view of cutting-edge green infrastructure.
Peel Ports Group, the UK’s second-largest port operator, has partnered with E.ON to support its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. Their 25-year agreement includes the UK’s largest solar energy project, with 63,000 solar panels capable of saving 6,500 tonnes of CO2e annually equivalent to removing over 2,250 cars from the road. Plans to repower existing wind turbines could generate a further 20MW of renewable electricity.
Throughout the visit, E.ON staff shared their expertise on system design, supply chain operations, and their personal experiences working in the energy sector, giving students invaluable insights into potential career pathways.
Amy Holbrook, Social Value Manager at E.ON, said:
“It’s my favourite part of my job providing young people and students with experiences they wouldn’t necessarily get. As a Social Value Manager, I think ‘if you can see it, you can be it.’
Giving learners role models and real-life career examples is invaluable. Working with colleges and schools near our contracts helps ensure we’re delivering real social and economic value to local communities.”
Mark Kirwan, Electrical Installation Tutor at Hugh Baird College, commented:
“It’s great to have E.ON reinforce the content we teach in the environmental technologies module. Seeing real-world applications of what we cover in the classroom helps students understand the relevance and impact of their learning.”
“Experiences like this bridge the gap between theory and practice and are vital in preparing our learners for careers in a rapidly evolving industry.”
The students themselves found the visit both educational and inspiring.
Joe Williamson, a Level 3 Electrical Installation student, said:
“It’s the closest I’ve been to a wind turbine – it brought everything we’ve learned in class to life.”
Ryan Henry, also studying Level 3 Electrical Installation, added:
“It was great to see the panels up close and understand the kind of maintenance work E.ON carries out.”
Want to know more about Electrical Installation courses at Hugh Baird College? Please follow the link below: