Plymouth NHS to Invest Over £1 Million in Solar Panels and LED Lighting for Derriford Hospital
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) has been awarded a total of £1.2 million to enhance energy efficiency through the installation of solar panels and LED lighting as part of a broader initiative funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The grant includes £549,167 for a solar power project, as well as additional funding from both the NHS National Energy Efficiency fund and the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme. The investment will facilitate the installation of approximately 2,200 LED lights and 1,400 solar panels across the UHP estate, significantly reducing energy consumption—equivalent to the annual electricity usage of 435 households. UHP’s deputy chief executive, Sarah Brampton, emphasized the importance of these projects for their long-term sustainability goals, aiming to increase onsite renewable energy sources as part of their green plan by 2032. Chris Gormley, chief sustainability officer at NHS England, noted that such efforts not only improve energy efficiency but also allow for cost savings that can be reinvested in patient care.
