More NHS sites across England will benefit from Great British Energy’s solar panel rollout, helping hospitals and health facilities cut energy bills and reinvest savings into patient care.
The expanded scheme will see 34 NHS trusts receive a share of up to £30m in funding from Great British Energy and government to install solar panels across around 70 new sites, from hospitals to mental health facilities.
In total, around 260 NHS sites, alongside 250 schools and 15 military facilities, will benefit from the initiative, which is projected to save up to £65m in lifetime energy bills for this round alone.
The programme supports the government’s Local Power Plan, ensuring local communities benefit from lower energy costs, greater energy security, and economic growth through clean power investment.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Great British Energy is helping your local hospital save money on its bills, to be reinvested into the frontline, from nurses to medical equipment. This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, protecting our public services with lower bills and energy security.”
Great British Energy chief executive 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 Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Every pound the NHS spends on rising energy bills is money that can’t be spent on cutting waiting times. By modernising the NHS and cutting wasteful spending, including taking back control of our energy, we will get patients treated faster.”
NHS England chief sustainability officer Chris Gormley 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.”
The government confirmed total funding for the solar scheme has risen to £255m, supporting public sector energy upgrades nationwide. The NHS alone could see up to £325m in total lifetime energy bill savings, with the average site saving around £35,000 annually.