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Fiona Keysell, Director of Consultancy and Jim Howlett, Business Development Manager at RenEnergy UK discuss the challenges and complexities of solar energy within healthcare estates and the possible innovations that may be able to lead the way...
£1.4bn. That’s how much NHS England spends on energy, making it the single biggest user of energy in the public sector¹. With demand only set to rise, the value of solar photovoltaic (PV) has become a strategic consideration for NHS estates as decarbonisation pressures fundamentally change how energy is produced and consumed on site. Estates directors and energy managers know that delivering net zero emissions while maintaining resilience and affordability will require innovation and on-site generation. Making on-site generation a part of long-term planning is where solar PV, particularly solar carports, takes centre stage, with healthcare estates uniquely positioned to take advantage of their vast carparks. It isn’t a surprise that healthcare estates are extremely energy intensive. Beyond lighting and HVAC demand, many host
operations 24/7 and rely on power for specialised medical equipment. Demand is constant, and systems that can produce clean energy, affordably on-site are increasingly attractive. being ushered into the healthcare sector. fossil fuels when paired with low-carbon electricity generation allowing heat and transport to be decarbonised. When can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, long-term cost control. However, as with every conversation
that centres around sustainability and decarbonisation, it must be grounded in electricity demand across NHS estates. This demand is increasing faster than on-site generation capacity.
It’s a pattern that is becoming
increasingly common across Britain’s NHS estates. As more trusts move away from reliance on gas, the reality is that of decarbonisation are fully realised. Decarbonisation is not something healthcare estates can delay or ignore. As national policy, funding mechanisms, and public accountability continue to evolve, estate teams are under growing pressure to act. This means that if it cannot be delivered in isolation. Measures are required that both offset increased electrical demand and mitigate long-term exposure to energy price volatility. This is where solar PV presents a clear and compelling opportunity. Solar is increasingly deployed as the solution across the healthcare
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