£32k solar panel funding to reduce energy costs at Leighton Hospital

Leighton Hospital has been awarded more than £32,000 to install solar panels that will help to cut energy bills and support sustainability.

The project, funded by Great British Energy, will generate an estimated 34,000kWh of electricity a year for the site in Crewe – the equivalent of powering more than 12 average UK homes for a year.

It is expected to save Mid Cheshire Hospitals around £9,500 annually, while also supporting the Trust’s Green Plan.

Following the Trust’s successful bid for £32,612 from the national funding pot, 100 solar panels are due to be installed on the roof of the Emergency Department by the end of this year.

This work supports the Trust’s Environmental and Social Responsibility Plan, which combines NHS net zero carbon ambitions with broader social priorities to reduce health inequalities, enhance wellbeing and provide support across the community.

Claire Liddy, Chief Finance Officer, said:

“We recognise the impacts our services can have on the environment and we’re working hard to find innovative solutions – now and for future generations.

“We’re delighted to receive this funding for the solar panel project. It’s our mission to provide unparalleled care for our local population and we know that placing sustainability at the heart of that is crucial.

“Cutting our energy costs will help to support our long-term financial plans as we continue to provide the best possible standards of healthcare.”

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has announced a package of over £180 million from Great British Energy, the government, and devolved administrations to deliver community clean energy projects.

This includes £100 million from Great British Energy for 78 NHS Trusts to install solar power and battery storage solutions. 

Nationally, the solar panel projects are expected to deliver savings of around £8.6 million a year, and up to £260 million over the technology’s lifetime across the NHS.

It is the first investment for Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan, which aims to deliver up to 8GW of clean energy projects across the UK.

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.” 

Pictured - Emergency Department at Leighton Hospital: The solar panels will be installed on the roof of the Emergency Department at Leighton Hospital.