As part of an expanded scheme to fund solar panels for NHS sites, military sites and schools, 34 NHS trusts across England, including 10 already in programme, will receive funding from Great British Energy and government for new solar panels.
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 benefitting.
Estimated energy bill savings over the panels’ lifetime could reach up to £65 million for the trusts from this additional spend.
The scheme covers more than a third of NHS trusts in England, helping them to power health services with clean energy, while giving them the potential to sell leftover energy back to the grid.
The NHS is the single biggest public sector energy user, with an estimated annual energy bill of around £1.34 billion, that has almost doubled since 2019. Thanks to this partnership between the NHS and Great British Energy, millions could now be invested back into frontline services – as the rollout continues on a scheme that is estimated to see total lifetime energy bill savings for the NHS of up to £325 million – with the average NHS site estimated to save around £35,000 a year in energy bills.
Great British Energy’s CEO, Dan McGrail said, “Our ongoing solar rollout delivers tangible benefits to the people that need it most in our hospitals and schools. Our continuing work is ensuring money is being put back into frontline care and education, providing cheap, clean and secure power.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said, “By modernising the NHS and cutting wasteful spending, including taking back control of our energy, we will get patients treated faster.”
Chris Gormley, Chief Sustainability Officer, NHS England said, “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.”
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.
As part of the expanded scheme, 34 NHS trusts will receive a share of up to £30 million.
The scheme is already helping schools nationwide to cut costs, with 14 schools having installed panels alongside 5 NHS sites.
