Hull (Kingston upon Hull) is at the centre of the UK's largest ports cluster by tonnage — the Humber ports (Hull, Grimsby, Immingham, Goole) handle 75+ million tonnes per year. Hull's distribution centre market: Humber Quays Business Park (port-adjacent DC and food import cold chain); King George Dock estate (importers' DC, automotive parts, food imports from Scandinavia/Northern Europe); and the Hull and East Riding logistics estate along the A63/M62. Humber Freeport provides 100% ECA on qualifying capex within the designated zone.
Local context — Hull
Hull DC solar economics: (1) Humber Freeport ECA (100% ECA on qualifying plant and machinery within designated sites — King George Dock, Queen Elizabeth Dock, Saltend Chemicals Park); (2) East coast irradiance (1,000-1,050 kWh/kWp/yr — excellent for UK); (3) Northern Powergrid DNO (4-7 months G99 for Hull commercial sites — one of the UK's fastest); (4) IETF for food import cold chain. Combined: Hull is among the best DC solar locations in England for eligible port logistics and food import operators.
Recent install — Hull
A 2 MW solar PV install on a Humber Quays port distribution and food import centre. First-year generation 2.00 GWh. Self-consumption 83%. Annual saving £400,000. Humber Freeport ECA: additional £175k year-one tax shield. Northern Powergrid G99: 5 months. Simple payback 4.1 years; 25-year IRR 26%.
Common questions — distribution centres in Hull
Which Hull sites are in the Humber Freeport designated zone?
Humber Freeport designated sites in Hull: King George Dock, Queen Elizabeth Dock, Saltend Chemicals Park, and Bridgehead Business Park. Check humberfreeport.co.uk for the definitive site boundary map. ECA applies to plant and machinery within the designated zone.
What is Northern Powergrid's G99 connection time for Hull?
Northern Powergrid covers Hull and the East Riding. Hull commercial sites: 4-7 months G99 in 2026 — one of the UK's fastest DNOs. King George Dock and Humber Quays: typically 4-5 months given existing port-grade grid infrastructure.