Centrica Business Solutions is working on a £7 million project to install energy-saving technology at a number of NHS sites in Exeter.
The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust hopes to reduce its energy costs at five sites by 17 per cent, a total of £800,000 a year by using the state-of-the-art technology.
The work will include the installation of a new 1.5MW combined heat and power unit that will generate power onsite at Wonford Hospital, as well as roof mounted solar panels at Wonford and Heavitree Hospitals.
Design and construction of the project is expected to be completed by April 2020.
Once complete, Centrica claims the measures will reduce annual emissions by more than 2,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide – the equivalent to taking more than 1,450 cars off the road.
Tony Orton, head of business development – healthcare solutions at Centrica Business Solutions, said: “The energy infrastructure improvement project will deliver a huge saving for the Trust as well as contributing significantly towards its carbon reduction targets.
“Our analysis shows that if this approach was replicated across just half of the NHS estate it would save more than £130 million a year, money that can be reinvested in frontline services.”
Robert Steele, the trust’s deputy director of strategic capital planning, added: “As a major hospital providing round-the-clock services, we consume large amounts of energy so we’re committed to a range of measures to help us continually improve energy efficiency.
“This initiative with Centrica is a major part of our approach to reduce the amount of money we spend on energy and utilities, releasing more funds to invest in frontline patient care and other vital functions.
“At the same time, reducing our energy consumption helps reduce our environmental impact.”
Centrica-owned British Gas supplies more than 1,300 NHS providers with energy products and services.