Green project funding to decarbonise Devon NHS sites

More than £5m has been awarded to help Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT) decarbonise its sites.

The money will fund two major decarbonisation energy projects, aimed at enhancing sustainability and reducing energy costs across its sites.

The trust said the government grants will enable the installation of 2,200 solar panels, saving almost £250,000 a year.

It added the funding will also allow the replacement of outdated boilers, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 100 tonnes (98.4 tons) per year.

DPT said £3m of the cash, awarded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will fund solar panel schemes at Langdon Hospital in Dawlish, units at Torbay Hospital and other sites in Exeter, Paignton, and Exmouth.

A further £2.1m from Salix – an organisation which manages government grants – will allow the decommissioning of existing fossil fuel boilers at the Trust’s Wonford House HQ in Exeter, paving the way for connection to greener energy sources.

Mark Barriball, deputy director of estates and facilities at DPT, said: “We are thrilled to have been successful in securing the funding for both of these projects.

“They will have a huge impact on our drive to be a greener and more sustainable organisation and also save money that can be redirected into patient care.”