Abstract Background Preeclampsia (PE) is associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In PE, the physiological hyperlipidaemia of pregnancy is exaggerated. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and endothelial lipase (EL) in pregnancies complicated by PE. Methods Placentae were collected from 16 women with PE and 20 women with uncomplicated pregnancies matched for maternal prepregnancy BMI and gestational age of delivery. Gene and protein expression of the placental lipases were measured by Q-PCR and Western blot. DNA methylation of the promoter of LPL was assessed by bisulfite sequencing. Lipase localisation and activity were analysed. Results Gene expression of all lipases was significantly reduced, as was HSL protein level in women with PE. All lipases were localised to trophoblasts and endothelial cells in PE and control placentae. There was no difference in methylation of the LPL promoter between PE and control placentae. Lipase activity was not altered in placentae from women with PE. Conclusion These results suggest that the decreased placental lipase gene but not protein expression or lipase activity, which is associated with late-onset PE is not a major contributor to the abnormal lipids seen in PE.