Liverpool to pilot 'plug and play' power facilities for film and TV productions

Building on work already trialled on a smaller scale in London, the project sees the city collaborating with Ecotricity X Grid Faeries to explore installation of power pillars.

The ambition is that bands, film crews, event managers and broadcasters will be able to plug directly into the grid removing the need for diesel generators on site.

Liverpool is the most filmed location outside of London – home to TV series such as Peaky Blinders and The Responder and the host for films including The Batman and Fantastic Beasts.

Using 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.

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. The figure is thought to be even higher for major live music events.

The announcement came ahead of the official launch of Liverpool as the world’s first UN Accelerator City for Climate Action on November 29.

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson, said: “This initiative is the first of a number of announcements which are connected to our new status as the world's first UN Accelerator City. We are committed to being bold, ambitious and proactive in tackling climate change issues.

Dale Vince, Founder of Ecotricity said: “Millions of litres of diesel are burned every year just to power outdoor events in towns and cities across Britain, in low emissions zones in some cases and too often with the grid just spitting distance away. That’s madness in a world teetering on the brink of climate disaster, and something that can easily be changed - we’re pleased to be working with Liverpool City Council to try and change that.”