Spire Norwich Hospital installs 514 solar panels to help achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030
25 February 2025
- 12,155 solar panels have been installed during 2024 at all 38 Spire hospitals across England, Wales and Scotland
- Largest investment in solar technology by a UK independent hospital group
- Group carbon savings equivalent to planting 44,000 trees every year
Spire Norwich Hospital has just completed the installation of 514 solar panels, as part of a major carbon reduction programme at the hospital. The panels are expected to generate 15.6% of the hospital’s annual electrical needs and reduce the overall carbon output of the hospital by 90 tonnes.
The installation is part of a programme across Spire Healthcare, to put in place over 12,000 solar panels at all of its 38 hospitals across England, Wales and Scotland this year, backed by an investment of £5.2m.
Nationwide, the programme will reduce the hospital estate’s combined annual carbon footprint by approximately 968 tonnes, the equivalent of:
- Taking 390 medium-sized cars off the road
- Planting 44,000 trees
- Flying from London to Sydney almost 200 times
Spire Healthcare has committed to become carbon neutral by 2030, the first independent sector healthcare provider in the UK to do so.
Spire Norwich Hospital champions green energy with solar panels on its roof
Other environmental initiatives at the hospital include enhancement of the site Building Management Control Systems (BMS) to add sophistication to and optimisation of site plant and equipment. The hospital has a dedicated carbon champion, who promotes sustainability throughout the hospital and encourages colleagues to think about what they can do to reduce carbon usage.
Caroline Fox, Hospital Director at Spire Norwich Hospital said: “Environmental sustainability is a core component of our strategy and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to install solar panels here at Spire Norwich Hospital. I’m proud of all my colleagues’ enthusiasm and determination to meet our goal of becoming carbon neutral by the end of 2030.”