Great British Energy’s rollout of solar panels could bring a further £65 million in savings (over the lifetime of the panels) for NHS Trusts as more sites are set to benefit from investment.
As part of the expanded scheme to fund solar panels for NHS sites as well as schools and military sites, 34 Trusts across England, including 10 that are already in the programme will receive a share of up to £30 million funding from Great British Energy and the Government.
These NHS Trusts will install the panels at around 70 more sites, from hospitals to mental health facilities. In total, the scheme will see around 260 NHS sites benefiting.
Great British Energy is a publicly-owned energy company established to make Britain a clean energy superpower.
Chris Gormley, Chief Sustainability Officer of NHS England says: “Thanks to this expanded funding through the Great British Energy collaboration, NHS solar generation is set to triple, driving significant cost savings and improving patient care.
“This investment will help more Trusts slash their energy bills and reinvest those savings directly into frontline care – continuing to support our patients and communities while driving further progress towards a lower carbon, more sustainable health system.”
Expanded scheme
Earlier this month, the government confirmed total funding for the solar scheme had increased to up to £255 million, allowing Great British Energy to support around 260 NHS sites, around 250 schools, and around15 military sites.
Projects have already been completed at the first five NHS sites to benefit from the scheme.
Trusts which have been successful in securing funding have welcomed the investment. At Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust the solar installation is estimated to provide 15% of annual energy consumption.
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust will install solar panels to bring green energy to hospital sites across Durham, Darlington and North Yorkshire.
NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group will install an additional 2,000 solar panels across its estate, building on existing installations at Aintree, Broadgreen and Liverpool Women’s hospitals.
See the full list of sites receiving funding under this expanded scheme.
