The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced funding for the NHS to install solar power and battery storage solutions. As well offering better value for the taxpayer, the investment in renewable energy aims to make savings in energy bills that can be redirected into frontline care.
As part of this investment, we have been awarded £411k to install solar panels on 11 of our sites across the North West.
Our Director of Finance, Carolyn Wood, said “We’re extremely grateful for the additional funding that has been announced to further support us in decarbonising our sites as we strive towards the NHS’ goal to be carbon neutral by 2040.
“As a trust with an estates portfolio of more than 100 sites, our utility bills are not insignificant so to be able to reduce those bills by approximately £0.7m and make a positive impact on the environment is a great initiative.
“The work starts now in planning the installation of the solar panels and hopefully we will start to see the benefits soon.”
The 11 sites receiving solar panels are:
- Dukinfield Ambulance Station
- Crosby Ambulance Station
- Central Stores Vicarage Lane, Fulwood
- Chorley Ambulance Station
- Haydock Ambulance Station
- Sandbach Ambulance Station
- South Liverpool Ambulance Station
- Skelmersdale Ambulance Station
- Sharston Ambulance Station
- Wilmslow Ambulance Station
- Winsford Ambulance Station
Chief Sustainability Officer at NHS England, Chris Gormley said: “Thanks to the dedication of teams nationwide, the NHS has already implemented hundreds of projects that enhance energy efficiency and drive significant cost savings. This groundbreaking new investment, across 78 NHS Trusts on around 200 sites, will expand solar power generation within the NHS by over 300%, slashing energy costs by hundreds of millions of pounds. These vital savings can be reinvested directly into frontline care, ensuring the NHS continues to deliver for our patients and communities.”