Spire Healthcare invests £5.2m in solar technology to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030

Spire Healthcare has embarked on a landmark project to install 12,155 solar panels at all its 38 hospitals across England, Wales and Scotland this year. Backed by an investment of £5.2m, this is the largest investment of its kind by a UK independent sector healthcare provider. This investment is part of a 10-year decarbonisation plan and is expected to generate 4.8 million kWh of electricity every year, contributing to the reduction of the hospital estate’s annual electricity consumption by 17%.

Spire Healthcare was the first independent sector healthcare provider in the UK to commit to become carbon neutral by 2030.

The installation of the 12,155 solar panels is expected to be completed this year and will reduce the hospital estate’s combined annual carbon footprint by approximately 968 tonnes, the equivalent of:

• planting 44,000 trees
• taking 390 medium-sized cars off the road
• flying from London to Sydney almost 200 times.

Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Wirral is the first of 38 Spire hospitals to have solar technology installed and is seeing the benefit of more than 400 panels installed on the roof and in the grounds of the hospital. The 400 panels are expected to generate 15% of the hospital’s annual electrical needs and reduce the overall carbon output of the hospital by 35 tonnes, which is the equivalent of planting 1,686 trees and taking 87 cars off the road.

The importance of this group-wide investment in solar technology is two-fold. With energy costs expected to remain high for the foreseeable future, and with our drive to become a recognised leader in sustainability, investing in solar not only makes sounds financial sense, but is also an important element within our 10-year carbon reduction roadmap.

Since launching our Sustainability Strategy in 2022, our goal has been to lead the sector in becoming the first UK independent sector healthcare provider to become carbon neutral by 2030. By the end of 2023, we were 3% ahead of our overall emissions reduction target.

Jitesh Sodha, Spire Healthcare CFO and Chair of the Sustainability Committee said:

“Environmental sustainability is a core component of our strategy and operations. With this investment we are reducing our carbon emissions and reducing our costs.

“I am pleased to see the environmental commitments we have made being realised, and I congratulate my colleagues on their determination and drive to meet our goal of becoming carbon neutral by the end of 2030.”

Spire Healthcare’s energy improvement works are being undertaken by eEnergy Group.

Harvey Sinclair, CEO of eEnergy said:  "In partnership with Spire Healthcare, eEnergy is setting a new benchmark for sustainability in healthcare. Our collaboration goes beyond mere ambition; it's a concrete step towards Spire's Net Zero goal, powered by our deep-rooted expertise in renewable energy.

By integrating efficient solar arrays, we're not just cutting carbon emissions—we're redefining energy independence in healthcare. This initiative promises substantial financial savings and underscores the viability of green investments.

This is more than a project; it's a movement towards a sustainable healthcare model. Together with Spire, we're leading by example, proving that decisive action and strategic partnerships can drive the sector-wide shift to sustainability. We're not just planning for a greener future; we're building it now." Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Wirral Solar Array