As energy costs continue to surge and sustainability pressures mount, healthcare estates are looking at on-site solar power to stabilise budgets and support Net Zero goals. Damian Baker, founder and Managing director at RenEnergy, explores how solar PV can help healthcare providers cut emissions, reduce operating costs, and navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
How can health estate managers deliver critical services while lowering operational emissions and costs? NHS England spends approximately £1.4 bn on energy, a figure which has doubled since 20191 — demonstrating the urgency of the challenge estate managers face.
There are rays of light, however. The introduction of new and refreshed sustainability-minded energy procurement strategies, have resulted in the broader adoption of solar photovoltaic (solar PV) technology, providing a buffer against unpredictable power pricing while helping estates adhere to environmental legislation. Its true potential, however, remains underdeveloped within the healthcare industry.
Beyond the lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) demand, many facilities such as accident and emergency (A&E) departments and intensive care units, play host to 24/7 operations and need power for specialised, lifesaving equipment. Compounding this is the fact that the UK has faced some of the highest electricity prices in Europe. Demand is constant and systems that produce affordable on-site clean energy are increasingly attractive to healthcare estate managers.
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