CARBON REDUCTION AND NET ZERO
estates. Hospitals rely heavily on water for sterilisation, HVAC systems, and cooling, yet these systems are often designed and operated in silos. By integrating water and energy planning, healthcare estates can unlock efficiencies, reduce operational costs, avoid planning and environmental risks – all while addressing water and nutrient neutrality, and significantly lowering their carbon footprint. Moreover, such integration supports resilience, ensuring that critical systems remain functional during disruptions or peak demand periods.
Tailored solutions for complex estates Faced with a mix of 80-year-old and modern buildings, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust needed a strategy that balanced heritage preservation with Net Zero ambitions. We conducted a comprehensive energy audit, optimised existing systems, and introduced on-site renewables. Fossil fuel systems were phased out in favour of electrification, with minimal disruption to patient care. This systems thinking approach allowed for the phase out of fossil fuels to occur whilst minimising the requirements of the upgraded electrical capacity. Every NHS estate is different, and success depends on tailoring solutions to the site. Industrial projects often begin with a detailed interrogation of the client’s brief to ensure proposed solutions are technically feasible and operationally aligned. NHS projects can benefit hugely from the same discipline. In one hospital project, assumptions about the necessary volume of EV charging for ambulances and staff were examined, leading to a 10% reduction in energy requirements. Analysis of local demographics revealed that most staff charged their vehicles at home, making universal on-site charging unnecessary. Responsibility for ambulance charging was transferred to the ambulance trust, dividing the costs. This pragmatic approach is common in industrial
strategies as the contractual boundaries and success criteria are viewed differently than in the public sector.
Smart energy and resilient hospitals Heavy energy users in industry routinely adjust operations to avoid peak tariffs, saving millions annually. These strategies enhance resilience and support national energy stability.
NHS estates, which require round-the-clock energy, can adopt similar approaches. Battery systems charged overnight on low tariffs can power facilities during the day, flattening energy profiles and easing grid pressure. Microgrids, combining solar PV, battery storage, and backup generators, offer continuity of care during outages and enable participation in demand- side response programmes. In short, smart energy management means hospitals save costs while keeping the lights on – no matter what. They may even be able to unlock additional revenue streams by smartly utilising their own assets. Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, one
of Europe’s busiest children’s hospitals, exemplifies sustainable design. It now generates 60% of its energy on site through solar and heat pumps, while creating a ‘health park’ that boosts both wellbeing and sustainability. With Lexica now part of WSP, NHS clients get the full
journey: strategy, planning, and delivery under one roof. That means insights don’t just sit on paper, they become efficient, decarbonised hospitals.
Industrial decarbonisation increasingly relies on digital tools to model energy use, forecast emissions, and optimise design. WSP’s LCPro and Carb0nise platforms
enable project teams to evaluate the environmental impact of materials and construction methods in real time. The same tools are now being adapted for NHS
projects, giving Trusts a real-time picture of carbon impact, and helping them make better decisions, faster. Digital workflows mean the NHS can cut carbon without cutting corners. Our Healthcare Beyond Carbon whitepaper compared nine global healthcare systems, from Sweden’s electrified hospitals to South Africa’s green retrofits. The study revealed diverse approaches tailored to local contexts. For the UK, the big takeaways are passive design, low- carbon materials, and community-based care. Australia’s New Women’s and Children’s Hospital
(nWCH), currently under development in Adelaide, offers a great example of how healthcare infrastructure can be designed for a Net Zero future, and the learnings we can take from work across the world. It will be Australia’s first all-electric hospital, built to serve future generations. This move reflects a growing international trend toward electrification in healthcare, supported by increasingly renewable energy grids. In South Australia, renewables already supply over 60% of the state’s energy needs, making electrification both feasible and environmentally responsible. This year, the UK has seen solar power generation
surge, and with record approvals for new renewable energy generation capacity a clear signal that this trend will continue. For the NHS, it is a true reflection of the every-growing possibility that electrification of healthcare facilities is possible.
A blueprint for change The NHS stands at a pivotal moment in its decarbonisation journey. By learning from heavy industry, healthcare estates can adopt proven strategies that balance ambition with feasibility. From modular design and microgrid solutions, to strategic planning and digital tools, the lessons are clear, and increasingly urgent. Integrating these insights into everyday practice will not only support the NHS’s Net Zero goals but also ensure that its infrastructure is resilient, efficient, and fit for the future.
At Manchester airport, WSP focused on minimising disruption to passengers and operations by using modular, standardised components.
Craig Anderson
Craig Anderson is a Decarbonisation consultant at leading multidisciplinary professional services firm, WSP. He works with a diverse range of clients, from chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers to food and construction materials manufacturers, helping them translate ambitious carbon reduction strategies into practical, site-level solutions.
October 2025 Health Estate Journal 173
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