University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) in the UK has received £1.36m ($1.77m) in funding to expand the installation of solar panels at Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH).
The financial support is part of a wider £100m initiative from Great British Energy, as revealed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
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It aims to assist the National Health Service (NHS) in implementing solar power and battery storage systems to reduce energy costs.
This initiative is expected to generate annual savings of £177,000 in energy expenses, thereby facilitating further investments in frontline healthcare services.
The grant will enable solar panels to be installed on multistorey car parks at Poole Hospital and RBH.
It will not only contribute to substantial energy savings but also cover the full cost of the new panels, which are expected to generate 700,000kWh a year.
Over the guaranteed 15-year lifespan of the solar panels, UHD anticipates saving at least £2.5m in energy costs.
The installations, scheduled for later this year, are projected to offer approximately 200tpa of carbon savings, aligning with environmental goals.
UHD sustainability and carbon manager Stuart Lane said: “This is a real boost to our Green Plan and good for our finances too.”
In addition to solar energy, UHD is adopting new strategies for decarbonising its estate.
These include constructing efficient hospital buildings, like the new BEACH Building, and investing £2.1m in LED lighting to modernise older facilities.
NHS England chief sustainability officer Chris Gormley said: “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.”
Earlier this year, the UK Government announced upcoming reforms and £86m in funding, with a focus on adult social care.
This move was intended to reduce the strain on the NHS and help the healthcare workforce.
