New Ipswich ambulance hub to save costs with solar panels

The Trust's new ambulance hub in Ipswich became one of the first five NHS sites in the country to install new solar panels. Earlier this year the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced a £100 million investment from Great British Energy and the government for the NHS to install solar power and battery storage solutions across around 200 NHS sites to help cut energy bills, offering better value for the taxpayer.

EEAST was awarded almost £109,000 to install solar panels on the new Ipswich Ambulance Hub, which are now in place and generating clean power. They are expected to save £10,500 a year in energy costs. Over the lifetime of the panels, EEAST is expected to save £315,700.

The new hub, which replaces the outdated station on the Ipswich Hospital site, became operational earlier this month, with an official opening ceremony to be held in October. It will serve as a base for around 100 staff members.

EEAST CEO Neill Moloney said: "We're excited to have finally moved into this state-of-the-art hub, which represents a significant investment in our people and the future of ambulance services in Ipswich. This modern, purpose-built facility is a major upgrade from our old base and has been designed with staff wellbeing and operational performance at its core.

"Sustainability was a key focus of the development, and the savings we make from energy costs through generating our own solar power will be reinvested back into the frontline so we can provide the best possible service to our patients."

Chief Sustainability Officer at NHS England, Chris Gormley said: "Thanks to this funding, the NHS is set to expand solar generation by more than 300% across the NHS – slashing millions of pounds from energy bills, which can then be redirected into patient care.

"These new solar panels are expected to save the NHS £8.6 million every year once all the projects are completed, adding up to £260 million over their lifetime.

"That's a massive leap towards a more sustainable, cost-efficient NHS – building on the great work already undertaken in the five years since we became the first healthcare system in the world to commit to reaching net zero."

Notes to editors

• Energy bill savings estimates are based on DESNZ assumptions agreed with other government departments (OGDs). They comprise three components: electricity bill savings, revenues from exports, and are net of operating costs. All values have been rounded to the nearest 100.