Energy Centre opens at Scarborough Hospital

Today, (Thursday 23 March) marks NHS Sustainability Day, the perfect occasion to celebrate the official opening and handover of the refurbished, low-carbon Energy Centre at Scarborough Hospital, which has been delivered by Vital Energi.

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through the work of its Sustainable Development Group.  The refurbishment of the Scarborough Hospital energy centre will help make a large step towards reducing the Trust’s carbon footprint. 

The £3.2M project will achieve guaranteed savings of £512,000 in the first year - a 31 per cent reduction on current energy bills and operating costs.  Over the course of 15 years the guaranteed savings will be in excess of £9M.

The upgrade at Scarborough includes improved boiler control and the installation of a combined heat and power (CHP) unit which will make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions, as well as significant savings to the hospital’s energy costs.  Carbon emissions are projected to be cut by 2,130 tonnes a year, a reduction of around 38 per cent.

The unit will supply all of the hospital’s night time electricity, over 70% of its day time electricity and make a substantial contribution to the heating and hot water supply.

The energy centre was officially opened by the Trust’s Chief Executive, Patrick Crowley.  Patrick was joined by Brian Golding, Director of Estates and Facilities, members of the Scarborough Hospital Estates team and representatives from Vital Energi, including Joint Managing Director, Ian Whitelock.

Brian Golding, Director of Estates and Facilities, explains: “As an organisation, we are very much aware of sustainability issues and are committed to reducing our environmental impact.  Our sustainable development group ensures that we are consistently addressing energy consumption across all our hospitals, looking at everything from light bulbs through to the design of new buildings. 

“In 2014 we completed a major energy saving and carbon reduction project at York Hospital using a Carbon and Energy Fund Framework with Vital Energi, and last year we completed a major reduction project at Bridlington Hospital.  Including the refurbishment here at Scarborough Hospital, the overall project will offer over £26.5M guaranteed saving for the Trust – money which will be reinvested into patient care.  Across the three sites, carbon emissions are projected to be cut by 5,800 tonnes a year, a reduction of around 27.6 per cent.”

Patrick Crowley adds: “On behalf of the Trust I am delighted to officially open the refurbished energy centre at Scarborough Hospital.  By reducing energy costs, we can reinvest savings into front line services and patient care.”

Combined Heat and Power Engines are extremely efficient and capture the heat created during electricity generation, which would normally be wasted, and use it to provide low-carbon heating to the hospital.  This technology is far more efficient than traditional power stations and delivers a larger reduction in CO2 emissions.

Ashley Malin, Project Development Director for Vital Energi explained:  “York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was one of the first in the UK to embrace this type of energy infrastructure upgrade, with guaranteed returns.  Their commitment to reducing emissions and producing value for money has seen them revolutionise the way they generate and use energy.  NHS Sustainability Day is the perfect opportunity to congratulate them on their achievements.”

Visit the official website of Vital Energi for more information and news on their work.

23 March 2017