MKUH kicks off next stage of solar panel programme
The second stage of the solar panel programme at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) is underway, which will see the installation of a further 800 panels across the site.
Stage two focusses on some of the oldest and original parts of the hospital, where 7,500 square metres of roofing will be replaced and re-insulated before the solar panels are laid down. The areas included in this phase of work include all wards and departments in the green zone, which encompasses wards 1 – 10, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Pathology.
This work follows the successful completion of phase one, where more than 2,500 solar panels were installed across the hospital. Once the second stage of work is completed, there will be over 3,300 individual panels positioned on roofs around the estate which will ultimately generate nearly a gigawatt of free electricity… that’s the same power that would be used by 344 average homes in the UK.
Our investment into renewable energy is part of our Green Plan, with the Trust setting an ambitious vision to be net carbon zero by 2030 – 10 years ahead of the national target.
Estates Services Manager at MKUH Tony Marsh, and project manager for our solar programme, said: “We are already seeing the benefits of installing solar panels across our site and since the panels went live last year, we have saved nearly £50,000 in our energy bills. With the rising costs of electricity, this saving is only going to increase, especially as we move into the summer months.
“The next phase of work will enable us to produce even more power on site, as well as upgrade the roofing areas across some of the oldest parts of the hospital, further improving our energy optimisation and creating more comfortable environments for our staff and patients.”
While this phase of work is carried out, there will be some minor noise disruption to areas impacted by the roofing works. Several measures have been put in place to mitigate any inconvenience caused to staff, patients and visitors and we will continue to notify all users of the site in advance of any changes.
Further details about our MKUH Green Plan can be found on our website here: https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/about-us/green-plan
The phased programme of solar power installation at MKUH
Last Modified: 10:47am 28/10/2022
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