AJK Cold Stores, Hull

AJK Ltd

1.78 MWp (4,372 solar panels) installed in Hull

Over 100 years of expertise

Founded in 1881, Andrew Johnson Knudtzon Ltd (AJK) has been a cornerstone of Hull’s food industry for over a century. The company originated from a partnership between Andrew Johnson, grandfather of the renowned aviator Amy Johnson, and Norwegian fish exporter named Knudtzon. Today, as a division of A.M.I Cold Stores Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Andrew Marr International Group, AJK operates 1.2 million cubic feet of cold storage space across 2 multi-chambered sites in West Hull, adjacent to the main motorway network.

Sustainability at the forefront

As a cold storage facility, AJK recognises the need to reduce its environmental impact in an energy-intensive sector where refrigeration runs 24/7. With rising energy costs and sustainability targets, they sought a long-term solution to cut carbon emissions and reliance on grid electricity.

Committed to more than regulatory compliance, AJK is actively integrating renewable energy and efficiency measures. Solar PV became a key strategy, but aging roofing infrastructure posed challenges requiring careful planning.

By partnering with Mypower, AJK adopted a phased approach to maximise carbon reduction while maintaining operations. The result is a solar PV system that supports sustainability goals, provides financial savings, and protects against energy price fluctuations.

Joining forces

AJK connected with Mypower in December 2020 after attending a Cold Chain Federation webinar about on-site renewable energy. Keen to cut their carbon footprint and energy costs, AJK want to explore the feasibility of installing solar PV at their sites in Hull, Gillet Street and Boulevard. Mypower’s assessment identified strong solar potential at both Boulevard and Gillet Street, but challenges remained—especially the aging asbestos fibre cement roof at Boulevard.

Rather than delay the project, AJK and Mypower took a phased approach to install solar PV first at Gillet Street and viable sections of Boulevard which would deliver immediate savings. Plans were then set to replace Boulevard’s roof, enabling a larger solar expansion later. This strategy allowed AJK to benefit from solar energy quickly while preparing for a more significant transformation.

Old roof? No problem!

To deliver the most effective solar PV solution for AJK, Mypower developed a phased installation plan that addressed both immediate energy savings and long-term infrastructure challenges.

Site considerations and challenges:
One of the key challenges identified was the condition of the Boulevard site’s roof. The original asbestos fibre cement roofing was unsuitable for solar panel installation, requiring a full replacement before a large-scale solar array could be installed. Additionally, AJK’s facilities consume nearly 5 million kWh of electricity annually, making it crucial to maximise on-site generation without disrupting daily operations.

Another consideration was grid capacity and allowances. Given the scale of the installation, careful planning was required to ensure the system met regulatory requirements and could effectively integrate with the local electricity network.

Overcoming these challenges
To maximise solar potential while addressing the roofing issue, Mypower and AJK agreed on a two-phase approach:

Phase 1 (2022):

Installed 484 kWp (1,258 panels) at Gillet Street and 293 kWp (762 panels) on structurally sound sections of the Boulevard roof.
This provided immediate energy savings and carbon reductions while preparing for the larger installation.

Phase 2 (2024):

Replaced the aging roof at Boulevard with Kingspan XL Forte insulated panels, improving insulation and energy efficiency.
Installed an additional 999.6 kWp (2,352 panels) at Boulevard, maximising solar generation and CO2 savings.

The cost of the new fully insulated roof and the installation of permanent edge protection to enable safe future roof access added around three years to the solar PV system’s payback period. Still, this represents a strong return for a roof that was previously incurring significant maintenance costs - and that’s before taking the Capital Allowance benefits into account.

Mypower’s phased solar PV installation at AJK Coldstores delivered a large-scale renewable energy solution across two key sites in Hull - Boulevard and Gillet Street. The total system size reached 1.78 MWp, comprising 4,372 solar panels, making it one of the most significant solar investments in the UK cold storage sector.

Award winning partnership

In March 2025, Mypower and AJK won the Sustainable Partnership Project award at the Cold Chain Federation’s Sustainability Awards. These awards recognise members leading the way in sustainability and delivering excellence within the industry.

Tom Sivil (Mypower) and Tony Pinder (AJK) receiving the award.

Key facts and predictions

1.78 MWp (4,372 panels) installed.
1,419,975 kWh units of energy produced per annum.
£267,426 projected first year income and savings.
22% projected first year return on capital invested, before capital allowance benefits.
5.34p/kWh - the equivalent forward purchase price of 32.7 million units of electricity over 25 years including estimated operating & maintenance costs.
4.5 years - system payback before finance, tax and capital allowance and grant benefit.
£10,829,861 - a 25-year income and savings after indexation.
73% saving from solar PV electricity compared to grid supplied electricity at 20p/kWh.
294 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided per annum.

“Our partnership with Mypower has been instrumental in helping us take a major step towards reducing our carbon footprint. By installing solar PV across our Hull sites, we’ve not only cut emissions significantly but also improved our energy efficiency and future-proofed our operations. The challenges we faced, particularly at our Boulevard site, required careful planning and collaboration, and Mypower delivered a solution that worked for us both environmentally and commercially.”

Tony Pinder
Plant Manager at AJK Cold Stores

“Working with AJK Coldstores has been a fantastic example of how renewable energy can be integrated into even the most energy-intensive industries. AJK’s commitment to sustainability was clear from the start, and we were proud to help them overcome key challenges, from grid limitations to roofing constraints, to deliver a system that maximises both carbon savings and financial returns. Their investment in solar is a model for others in the cold storage sector looking to take control of their energy future.”

Neil Stott
Business Development Director at Mypower