Liverpool has announced plans to install a network of ‘plug and play’ facilities across key filming and TV sites in the city centre, to create a cleaner, creative production zone.
Liverpool is the most filmed location outside of London – home to TV series such as Peaky Blinders and The Responder and the host for major films including The Batman and Fantastic Beasts – as well as a leader in major outdoor events. Being able to use mains power rather than high polluting, temporary power on these productions would mark a significant leap forward in the city’s ambition to decarbonise the creative sectors.
Millions of litres of diesel are burned on locations and outdoor events annually – according to industry body BAFTA Albert, 62% of UK film/tv productions used diesel generators for mobile power last year – a high source of greenhouse gas emissions and of air pollution, which negatively effects communities living adjacent to film and event sites. The figure is thought to be even higher for major live music events.
Building on work already trialled on a smaller scale in London, this project sees the city collaborating with Ecotricity X Grid Faeries to explore installation of power pillars for the benefit of people and planet.
The hope is that bands, film crews, event managers & broadcasters will be able to plug directly into the grid removing the need for diesel generators on site.
The announcement comes ahead of the official launch of Liverpool as the world’s first UN Accelerator City for Climate Action this Friday (29 November).
Keir Powell-Lewis, BFI Head of Environmental Sustainability, said: “Finding ways for film and television productions to access clean energy and eliminate diesel generators on set is a major priority for the industry. Recommendations from the BFI-funded Screen New Deal Transformation Plan emphasise the need to collaborate to deliver infrastructural solutions at scale. We are excited to be to be working with ITV Studios and Ecotricity to explore how this can be rolled out for productions, music events, festivals, and communities across the UK.”
Film London, who launched the first European pilot ‘plug and play’ filming power source last summer in east London, welcomed today’s announcement to pilot a network of ‘plug and play’ facilities across key filming and TV sites in Liverpool.
Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London, said: “It’s fantastic news that another UK city is trialling this ground-breaking technology and approach to renewable energy for on-location film and TV production. Since launching the first European pilot in east London last year, our results have been overwhelmingly positive.
“A recent evaluation has demonstrated that 245.2 mt of CO2 emissions, and 97,794 litres of fuel were saved across 234 days (including filming and events) in its first year of operation. And it’s win-win, benefiting residents near the pilot site through improved air quality, productions through energy, environmental sustainability and cost savings, and overall, the planet. Liverpool’s residents and screen industry stand to benefit from the same. Today’s announcement is another fantastic step forward for the UK screen industry’s collaborative efforts to reduce emissions.”
Pippa Considine
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