The UK government has announced the first major project for Great British Energy – a £200 million investment to install rooftop solar panels on schools and NHS sites across the country. The initiative aims to slash energy bills, reinvest savings into frontline services, and boost green skills and local energy projects.
Powering Pupils and Patients with Clean Energy
Hundreds of schools and NHS buildings across the UK will soon benefit from rooftop solar panels, in a move designed to cut energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. This marks the first major project for Great British Energy – a publicly owned company created to support the UK’s transition to clean, homegrown energy.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that the initiative is backed by £200 million in government funding and forms a key part of the government’s Plan for Change to improve public services and energy security.
What’s included in the investment?
- £100 million to install solar on nearly 200 NHS sites
- £80 million to fund panels on around 200 schools
- £12 million for local authorities and community groups to launch clean energy projects
- £9.3 million to fund similar schemes in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Why It Matters
Schools and hospitals have been hit hard by rising energy prices, with the NHS now spending nearly £1.5 billion a year on energy. This solar rollout could generate lifetime savings of £400 million over 30 years – money that will be reinvested into education and healthcare.
- A typical school could save up to £25,000 a year
- An average NHS site could save up to £45,000 a year
These savings could help ease pressure on budgets, especially in areas hardest hit by rising costs.
Supporting Communities and Skills
The initiative will also:
- Target deprived regions in the North East, West Midlands, and North West
- Fund clean energy schemes like hydropower, solar, and onshore wind
- Promote green careers in construction and renewables by linking local colleges to the installation work
Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier said the project will help people “generate their own energy” and give communities a real stake in the UK’s clean energy future.
A Step Towards Net Zero
Currently, only 20% of schools and fewer than 10% of hospitals have solar panels installed. But examples from NHS trusts show the huge potential of renewable tech:
- Wharfedale Hospital saves £75,000 a year with a solar canopy
- Hull Royal Infirmary saved £250,000 a month with 11,000 solar panels
- Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust expects to power its entire site for 288 days a year using its new solar farm
Energy experts and environmental groups have hailed the project as a win for public services, climate action, and community engagement.
You Can Save Too
While this announcement focuses on public buildings, households can also benefit from free support to improve energy efficiency and cut bills. You may be eligible for:
- Free insulation
- Solar panels or heat pumps
- Other energy-saving home upgrades
✅ Call Energy Advice Helpline for free on 0800 802 1869
✅ Complete our short eligibility checker to find out if you qualify
