LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort will soon be home to a landmark solar PV carport, installed by Mitie under a new partnership between Zestec Renewable Energy and Merlin Attractions Operations. The 1.2MW arrayed solar carport will generate over 1.1million kWh of clean electricity annually – enough to power the equivalent of over 400 UK homes. It will also save 195 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, which is equivalent to taking around 130 average petrol cars off the road annually.
The energy generated will directly power the new Woodland Village, LEGOLAND® Windsor’s first carbon-neutral and guest accommodation. In addition to its environmental benefits, the carport will also provide shaded parking for guests, enhancing the visitor experience. Whilst the energy onsite was already being procured via a green electricity tariff, the onsite solar project represents a further step forward, with clean electricity generated and consumed directly at the source. This milestone marks a major step in Merlin’s sustainability journey, aligning with its commitment to reduce environmental impact across its global attractions, and strengthening its pathway to achieving scope 1 and 2 carbon neutrality by 2030. This exciting project builds on Mitie and Zestec’s partnership and shared portfolio of solar installations across the UK.
Mitie has proven expertise in renewable energy and is committed to helping customers cut carbon through its Plan Zero programme. Mitie is recognised as a leader in ESG and has helped organisations across the UK transition to low-carbon operations, including solar PV installations for Pets at Home, David Lloyd Leisure, and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Zestec Renewable Energy is owned by funds managed by Octopus Energy Generation, and is the UK’s leading renewable energy developer, helping commercial and industrial businesses harness the benefits of renewable energy with fully financed solutions. Ensuring protection against energy price volatility and cutting carbon emissions, Zestec’s model enables organisations to accelerate their net zero plans, without tying up investment capital.
Dare Ilori, Group Sustainability Director, Merlin Entertainments Group, said:
“The delivery of the solar carport demonstrates Merlin’s commitment to long-term sustainability and continued investment across the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, delivering the ultimate guest experience. In the past eight years, we have successfully reduced our absolute carbon emissions by 25% and our carbon intensity by an impressive 43% across global operations, and have plans to go much further, becoming a carbon neutral in operation by 2030.”
Mark Caskey, Managing Director, Mitie Projects, said:
“We’re proud to be working with Merlin Entertainments and Zestec Renewable Energy to deliver this landmark solar carport at LEGOLAND Windsor. The clean energy it generates will help power the new Woodland Village and provide shaded parking, making visits more comfortable for guests.
“This builds on our hands-on experience in clean energy and a strong focus on reducing carbon emissions – values that align perfectly with Merlin’s environmental goals.”
Elizabeth Gibbons, Project Manager, Zestec Renewable Energy, said:
“The development and delivery of this solar carport showcases how Zestec helps organisations like Merlin Entertainments to take meaningful steps towards achieving their sustainability goals. This project proves that clean energy can be accessible, visible and financially smart, whilst making a real contribution to reducing carbon emissions. Our fully funded PPA solution is a model that could help transform the leisure sector.”
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
The 195 tonnes of carbon emissions each year figure is based on the 2025 UK electricity carbon factor.
Zestec, owned by funds managed by Octopus Energy Generation, is delivering this project through a fully funded Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Custom Solar, part of Mitie, will be installing the solar carport.
About Mitie: "Better Places; Thriving Communities"
Founded in 1987, Mitie employs 80,000 colleagues and is the leading technology-led Facilities Transformation company in the UK. We are a trusted partner to around 3,000 blue chip customers across the public and private sectors, working with them to transform their built estates, and the lived experience for their colleagues and customers, as well as providing data-driven insights to inform better decision-making.
In each of our core services of engineering (hard services) and security and hygiene (soft services) we hold market leadership positions. We also deliver projects capabilities in the areas of power and grid connections, building fit outs & modernisation, decarbonisation, fire & security and telecoms infrastructure. Our sector expertise includes central government, critical national infrastructure, defence, financial services, healthcare & life sciences, local government & education, retail & logistics, manufacturing & media and transport & aviation.
We hold industry-leading ESG credentials, including a place on the CDP Climate change A List, and we have received multiple awards including Best Low Carbon Solution and Net Zero Carbon Strategy of the year. We have validated science-based targets that support our ambitions to reach Net Zero. We have been recognised as a UK Top Employer for the seventh consecutive year and Most Admired Company in the Support Services sector. We are also ranked 16th in the Top 100 Apprenticeship employers and ninth in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers list. Find out more at www.mitie.com
About Zestec Renewable Energy
Zestec Renewable Energy is owned by funds managed by Octopus Energy Generation, and is the UK’s leading renewable energy developer, helping commercial and industrial businesses harness the benefits of renewable energy with fully financed solutions across a range of technologies – solar PV, battery energy storage systems and EV chargers.
Find out more at: www.zestecgroup.co.uk
About LEGOLAND
- LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations, the Minifigure, DUPLO, DREAMZzz and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2025 The LEGO Group.
- The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is a unique family theme park where children aged 2 -12 can take to the road, soar through the skies, and sail the seas in complete safety. With interactive rides, attractions, live shows, building workshops, and driving schools, not to mention a staggering 80 million LEGO® bricks, all set in 150 acres of beautiful parkland.
- There are ten other LEGOLAND® parks in the world – LEGOLAND® Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND® California, LEGOLAND® Florida, LEGOLAND® Deutschland in Germany, LEGOLAND® Dubai, LEGOLAND® Malaysia, LEGOLAND® Korea, LEGOLAND® New York, LEGOLAND® Japan and LEGOLAND® Shanghai.
About Merlin Entertainments Limited
Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-centre gateway attractions and LEGOLAND® Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 62 million guests annually to its diverse global estate in over 20 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO® Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.
See www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.
