A hospital trust in Surrey has secured £6 million in funding to install solar panels and energy storage systems across its facilities.
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust will place 4,000 solar panels at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey Heath, Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, and Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot.
This initiative aligns with Labour’s plan to establish a government-run renewable energy investment body to deliver clean energy by 2030.
James Clarke, chief strategy officer at Frimley Health, described the funding as “fantastic news” for both the trust and the local communities, emphasizing its role in significantly lowering carbon emissions and reducing energy costs.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the trust aims to cut its carbon footprint by 50% over the next five years as part of its sustainability efforts. Additionally, Frimley Health is undertaking a broader environmental programme, which includes replacing around 9,000 light bulbs at each hospital.
Plans are also in place to rebuild Frimley Park Hospital at a new location, with construction expected to begin between 2028 and 2029. The hospital, which consists largely of deteriorating concrete, has been prioritized within the government’s new hospital programme. A preferred site is set to be announced in May, as informed to Bracknell Forest Councillors earlier this month.