Following the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s recent announcement of £100 million in Great British Energy funding for the NHS to install solar power and battery storage solutions, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded £1.13m to install solar panels at the Northern General Hospital, Jessop Wing Hospital, and three community properties.
The Trust’s bid includes 1,500 solar panels to be installed on buildings across the Northern General Hospital campus, Jessop Wing Hospital (pictured), and three community buildings – at Wheata Place, Firth Park, and Manor Clinic. Work is due to start in April 2026, and to complete the following March. The Trust says this ‘major investment’ will deliver anticipated annual cost savings of £153,000.
Chief Strategy Officer at the Trust, Mark Tuckett, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding, which reinforces both our commitment to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation, and the aspiration to become a Net Zero, sustainable health service. The investment is also welcome news for the wider region, as it will provide significant opportunities for our local supply chain to support the local economy and develop new skills within the workforce in our communities, which in turn supports improved health and wellbeing. Decarbonising the energy we use will also be a key focus in our forthcoming Sustainability Plan.”
Chief Sustainability Officer at NHS England, Chris Gormley, added: “Thanks to the dedication of teams nationwide, the NHS has already implemented hundreds of projects that enhance energy efficiency and drive significant cost savings. This ground-breaking new investment, across 78 NHS Trusts on around 200 sites, will expand solar power generation within the NHS by over 300%, slashing energy costs by hundreds of millions of pounds. These vital savings can be reinvested directly into frontline care, ensuring the NHS continues to deliver for our patients and communities.”
