University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) has been awarded almost £3m of national funding to install solar panels at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), Furness General Hospital (FGH) and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH).
On 21 March 2025, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced a package of £100 million from Great British Energy for the NHS to install solar power and battery storage solutions to help drive down energy bills, offering better value for the taxpayer.
Within Morecambe Bay, the funding will be used for:
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RLI - 1,327 solar panels, with annual estimated savings of £147,639
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WGH - 1,434 solar panels, with annual estimated savings of £152,012
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FGH - 2,194 solar panels, with annual estimated savings of £228,032
Investing in renewable energy generation will deliver reductions in energy costs that can be redirected into front line care. These new solar panel installation projects are expected to deliver national savings of around £8.6 million a year, and up to £260 million over the panel’s lifetime across the NHS.
David Sanderson, Director of Estates and Facilities, UHMBT, said "These solar panels will play a vital role in our plans to becomes a greener organisation. Once installed, they will also help lower out substantial energy costs and help improve our overall financial situation. We expect the solar panels to be operational from March 2026."
Chris Gormley, Chief Sustainability Officer, NHS England, said: "Thanks to the dedication of teams nationwide, the NHS has already implemented hundreds of projects that enhance energy efficiency and drive significant cost savings.
"This groundbreaking new investment, across 78 NHS Trusts on around 200 sites, will expand solar power generation within the NHS by over 300%, slashing energy costs by hundreds of millions of pounds. These vital savings can be reinvested directly into frontline care, ensuring the NHS continues to deliver for our patients and communities."