South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is one of the first NHS sites in the country to install new Great British Energy solar panels, cutting the trust’s bills by over £32,000 a year just from the first of four planned installations.
Earlier this year, SCAS successfully secured over £1 million of NHS funding for solar projects in four locations across the trust’s estate. The funding was part of a £100m investment in solar and battery installations in a scheme run jointly by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Great British Energy (GBE) and NHS England.
The first installation at the trust’s Winchester and Eastleigh Resource Centre has been completed and with SCAS now generating its own solar power from 609 panels supported by a 345kWh battery system, the yearly average net energy bill savings from this first site will exceed £32,000 a year. With the panels and batteries having a 25-year performance guarantee, over the lifetime of their use, SCAS will save at least an estimated £842,000 in energy costs.
Jonathan Guppy, head of sustainability at SCAS, said:
“This is a hugely important milestone for the trust as we take tangible steps to cut our energy costs and carbon footprint, and release more money to spend directly on patient care. The installation at Winchester & Eastleigh is already making a real difference and is just the beginning of a wider programme of work that will deliver long-term environmental and financial benefits across our estate.”
The installation is the first of four that will be completed over the coming months. Combined with the growing number of electric vehicles joining the SCAS fleet, these initiatives will play a vital role in reducing the trust’s environmental impact. Together, they mark a significant step towards SCAS’ net zero targets and ensuring the organisation continues to provide high-quality care while protecting the planet for future generations.
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