More than £700,000 will be directed toward solar energy installations across NHS sites in Leicestershire as part of a national initiative to decarbonise healthcare infrastructure. The funding, provided by Great British Energy, contributes to a £27 million national programme expanding solar generation across NHS estates.
Four local facilities will benefit from the investment. Glenfield Hospital’s Herschel Prins mental health unit will receive £117,297, Coalville Community Hospital £133,980, and the Evington Centre and Gwendolen House at the Leicester General Hospital site £204,481. The largest share, £306,000, will fund solar panels at Preston Lodge in North Evington.
Ben Widdowson, director of estates at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “We are proud to be part of this important solar initiative alongside Great British Energy, which support our commitment to reducing our environmental impact while continuing to deliver high-quality healthcare.
“We welcome the £306,000 funding from GB Energy, which will be used to install solar panels at our new Preston Lodge site. This long-term investment will lower our carbon footprint, drastically cut our energy costs, and allow us to reinvest in sustainability and patient care.”
The projects aim to lower operational emissions and energy costs while maintaining grid connectivity for baseline supply. All new systems are expected to be operational by March 2026.
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which manages several of the sites, has previously completed solar installations at Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital and Loughborough Hospital. The latest phase marks another step in embedding renewable generation within the region’s public health infrastructure.
