Solar panels to be installed at three hospitals

A hospital trust in Surrey has secured £6m to install solar panels and energy storage systems across its hospitals.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust will install 4,000 panels across Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey Heath, Wexham Park Hospital in Slough and Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot.

It comes as Labour plan to open a government-owned renewable energy investment body, providing clean power by 2030.

James Clarke, chief strategy officer at Frimley Health, said it was "fantastic news for our trust and the communities we serve".

He added: "It's a big step forward in our journey towards significantly reducing carbon emissions and energy costs."

The initiative supports the trust's commitment to cut carbon emissions by 50% over the next five years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Frimley Health is investing in a wide-ranging sustainability programme, including replacing approximately 9,000 light bulbs at each hospital site.

Frimley Park Hospital is set to be rebuilt on a different site, with work beginning in 2028 to 2029.

The site, which is made up of two thirds crumbling concrete, has been given priority over other hospitals in the government's new hospitals programme.

A preferred site is expected to be announced in May, Bracknell Forest Councillors were told earlier this month.

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