The UK Government has put a new focus on reducing energy bills for schools and NHS sites across the country
The new solar panel initiative is backed by a £200 million investment from Great British Energy and will see rooftop solar panels installed on around 200 schools and 200 NHS sites.
The new plan is expected to create huge savings, with hundreds of millions of pounds redirected back into public services to support schools and hospitals.
Solar panel initiative: Changing energy across the UK
Great British Energy, a company owned by the British people, will begin its work with schools, hospitals, and devolved governments to install solar panels and create local clean energy projects.
The first installations are expected to be up and running by the end of summer 2025, with schools seeing the benefits in time for the next academic year.
£80 million will be allocated for school funding, while £100 million will go towards NHS sites, covering a third of the NHS trusts.
The solar panels, which will power classrooms, offices, and hospital operations, will potentially sell any excess energy back to the grid, generating additional income.
On average, a school could save around £25,000 per year, and NHS sites could save up to £45,000 annually.
Saving Energy in both schools and the NHS
This will target schools and NHS sites in areas that need it most, especially those in deprived regions. As well as solar installations, almost £12 million will support local clean energy projects, including wind, hydropower, and solar schemes.
These community-based projects will generate Energy and provide reinvestment opportunities that help fund local initiatives or reduce household energy bills.
The UK’s energy future
This partnership and solar panel initiative between the government and Great British Energy is important to securing the UK’s energy future.
It is designed to make public buildings more energy-efficient, helping to lower costs and reduce carbon emissions. The project also hopes to provide local communities with a stake in the renewable energy revolution, creating jobs and boosting local economies.
The funding is expected to have a long-term impact, with an estimated saving for schools and hospitals reaching up to £400 million over the next 30 years.
By cutting energy costs, this project is expected to free up resources for frontline services, benefiting both the education and healthcare sectors. The savings will be reinvested into these services, ensuring that vital public institutions can continue to provide high-quality care and education.
As part of the initiative, the government also focuses on creating future job opportunities in the growing green energy sector. Schools will be able to save money and also educate students about renewable Energy, helping to inspire the next generation of workers in the clean energy field.
This scheme is part of a wider plan to transform the future of the UK’s energy landscape.
Great British Energy is committed to scaling up renewable energy projects across the country, helping to achieve the UK’s ambitious clean energy goals while benefiting communities and public services.
