Trust Awarded £1m Solar Panels Funding

ELFT has been successful in bids for £584,521 to install solar panels at the Newham Centre for Mental Health and £541,036 for panels at the John Howard Centre for Mental Health in Hackney.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced the news on Friday March 21, 2025, as part of a £100m programme 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.

Funding has been awarded to 132 projects across 78 NHS Trusts covering around 200 sites in England. They are expected to deliver savings of around £8.6m a year and up to £260m over the panel’s lifetime across the NHS. 

The Great British Energy local power plan scheme is jointly run by DESNZ, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), GBE and NHS England.

David Stevens, ELFT Director of Estates, Facilities and Capital Development, said: “This is fantastic news. This investment in solar energy will not only help reduce our carbon footprint but will also support our commitment to sustainability at ELFT while providing long-term savings.

“It’s a significant step towards creating a healthier environment for both our staff and patients.”

Work to install the solar panels is expected to start in the summer.