East of England’s schools and NHS trusts receive multi-million pound boost for rooftop solar panels
NHS trusts and schools in the East of England will benefit from rooftop solar power following a multi-million pound investment to reduce energy bills.
This is part of the UK Government and Great British Energy’s £200 million initiative announced today which will see solar panels installed at around 200 schools and 200 NHS sites nationwide to tackle energy bills and build local clean power.
In the East of England, NHS trusts will receive £7,543,100 shared across 22 trusts — this includes £420,000 for West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, £109,000 for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust and £58,000 for Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary, said: “Right now, money that should be spent on your children’s education or your family's healthcare is instead being wasted on sky-high energy bills.
“Great British Energy’s first major project will be to help our vital public institutions save hundreds of millions on bills to reinvest on the frontline. Great British Energy will provide power for pupils and patients.
“Parents at the school gate and patients in hospitals will experience the difference Great British Energy can make. This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, with lower bills and energy security for our country.”
Work is set to begin immediately with the first panels expected to be in place by the end of summer 2025 to help schools save money for the next academic year.
It is believed schools could save up to £25,000 per year while NHS sites could see savings of up to £45,000 per year if they had solar panels with complementary technologies installed such as batteries.
It was also announced that local authorities and community energy groups will receive nearly £12 million to support the development of clean energy projects — including community-led onshore wind, rooftop solar, and river hydropower.
These initiatives could generate profits that could be reinvested into community projects or used to reduce people’s energy bills.
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: "With this investment we are backing our teachers and delivering for our young people – saving schools thousands on their bills to reinvest in a brilliant education for each and every child.
"The installation of solar will not only benefit schools financially, but will support pupils to develop green skills, promoting careers in renewables and supporting growth in the clean energy workforce.
“With tough choices needed when it comes to public finances, cuts to energy bills is just one part of our continued support for schools, providing better life chances for our children and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.”
The funding marks Great British Energy’s first local investment which launches the ‘Local Power Plan’ to deliver benefits like energy security, job creation and economic growth.
With £8.3 billion in backing over this Parliament, Great British Energy will own and invest in clean energy projects across the UK.
This includes supporting initiatives like today’s solar power schemes, as well as driving major projects that will create jobs and enhance energy security in the UK’s industrial regions.
