Multimillion-pound project to slash carbon emissions at Northeast hospital reaches exciting new milestone

 New solar panels have been installed on the roof of North Tyneside General Hospital as part of a multimillion-pound project to slash carbon emissions.

The new panels will generate over 300,000 kWh of electricity per year which is the equivalent typical electricity use of over 100 2–3-bedroom homes.

Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management, the estates and facilities subsidiary of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is working in partnership with Dalkia to deliver a range of energy efficiency and capital improvements across North Tyneside General Hospital.

The £22M project is funded by the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme which supports delivery of the UK’s ambitious goal to become net zero by 2050 and to reduce direct emissions from public sector buildings by at least 50% by 2032.

The project also includes the replacement of the steam system which provides the heating for the hospital alongside the installation of three new energy-efficient boilers. The trust has also taken steps to upgrade its infrastructure through the installation of new transformers which are more energy-efficient compared to the old ones. Additionally, two new substations have been built, forming a new high-voltage (HV) ring, installing a new switchgear to enhance the infrastructure’s reliance, and ensuring a reliable power supply.

PV panels, also known as solar panels, capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.

Damon Kent, managing director at Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management said: “We’re delighted that this project has entered an exciting new phase of development. This project will have a significant impact on reducing our carbon emissions at the site with an estimated figure of 75% CO2 reductions by 2030.

“This project is another way we have invested heavily in our estates and facilities, ensuring new developments and refurbishing existing buildings to make them as sustainable as possible.”

This is just another initiative that the trust has implemented to improve its sustainability efforts; in 2021 the trust refreshed its commitment with the launch of the Community Promise, which has Action on Environment as one of its key pillars.

Mike Blades, energy & carbon manager at Northumbria Healthcare said; This project takes a “fabric first” approach to reducing energy consumption prior to decarbonising the site and includes self-generation of renewable electricity via roof-mounted solar PV panels.

Technologies include a novel use of 2 stages of heat pumps to allow the continued use of the existing heating systems whilst future proofing to allow the use of low-temperature heating systems as the hospital evolves.”

Clare Winter, head of sustainability at Northumbria Healthcare said; “This project sets a very clear statement about the Trust’s ambitions to decarbonise our estate, we take our Community Promise very seriously and are proud of our achievements at North Tyneside General, and it sets the benchmark going forward.”

Stuart Bowman, Business Growth Director at Dalkia said; "We are proud to be working closely with Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management and the trust on this transformative project. Together, we are committed to driving sustainability and carbon reduction efforts in the healthcare sector. Our tailored develop, deliver, and operate solution will ensure a long-term resilient and low-carbon future for North Tyneside General Hospital. We look forward to delivering outstanding results and contributing to the NHS’s journey towards becoming net zero by 2040."

The project is due to be completed in October 2023.

Media contact 

Emily Lavin, marketing and communications officer 

emily.lavin@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk or 07887985929