ENERGY
All-electric energy centre for Scunthorpe Hospital
Scunthorpe General Hospital is taking a major step toward a greener, more efficient future with the construction of a new all-electric energy centre, a landmark scheme that will make the site one of the most sustainable in the NHS estate. Delivered by main contractor 7formation as part of the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the project replaces outdated gas-fired boilers with modern, fully electric plant, marking a decisive move toward a cleaner, low-carbon future for the hospital and the community it serves, as 7formation marketing manager Alastair Dickinson explains.
Across the country, NHS Trusts are rethinking how their estates operate as part of the drive toward Net Zero by 2040. The North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) is no exception. The investment in a brand new Energy Centre at Scunthorpe General Hospital underwrites the intent of the trust to be the leading figure in sustainable healthcare delivery, while providing a needed improvement in infrastructure. The project sits within the wider context of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), a £2.5bn government initiative that supports the transition from carbon-intensive to low-carbon energy systems across public buildings. Now in its fourth phase, the PSDS aims to achieve a 75 per cent reduction in emissions from the public sector by 2037, compared to the 2017 baseline. By adopting electric boilers and integrating future-ready
infrastructure, Scunthorpe General Hospital is directly contributing to these national goals. Once the project has been completed, the Energy Centre will reduce the Trust’s carbon emissions, improve operational efficiency, and support the long-term sustainability of healthcare provision across Lincolnshire. Alex Best, group deputy director of capital services and sustainability at Hull University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, said: “We are proud to be one of the most pioneering NHS organisations in the country in using sustainable, green energy to power and heat our hospitals. We want to create healthy, clean environments for our patients, visitors and staff – and the wider communities living and working around our hospital sites.”
Modern infrastructure, cleaner energy Located within the hospital grounds, the new Energy Centre replaces the existing boiler house that had reached the end of its lifecycle. The existing gas boilers were inefficient, high-maintenance, and produced high yields of emissions, a common issue across ageing NHS estates. The replacement is an entirely new building, purpose- designed to accommodate advanced electric boilers and associated switchgear. These systems will deliver reliable heat and power without producing nitrogen oxides (NOx
), a major contributor to air pollution and respiratory illness.
By removing combustion from the energy cycle, the new plant will have an immediate positive impact on local air quality in Scunthorpe. The hospital’s transition to electricity also future-proofs it against the gradual phasing-out of gas, allowing the facility to connect to renewable energy sources, such as grid-supplied green electricity or on-site solar generation, as these become available.
This project means far more than upgrading mechanical
systems – it is about building adaptability and resilience into the healthcare facility. The new centre will enable Scunthorpe General Hospital to operate more sustainably for decades to come, while reducing maintenance costs and improving reliability.
Delivering complex works in a live hospital environment Few environments pose more operational challenges than a busy acute hospital. Scunthorpe General Hospital houses a 24-hour emergency department, theatres, and inpatient services – all of which must remain fully functional throughout construction. The Energy Centre is being built on a confined site bordered by residential properties on one side and a live internal roadway on the other. Careful planning was essential to manage space, minimise disruption, and maintain full emergency access.
March 2026 Health Estate Journal 57
The Energy Centre is being built on a site bordered by residential properties.
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