Northampton General Hospital has partnered with CEF to lead the way into the future with a Net Zero goal.
With £20 million of funding from the Governments Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, there has been major works in energy improvement to reduce their carbon footprint and reach the NHS carbon neutral 2040 targets.
“A tremendous amount of work has been done over the last three years with our partners following our successful bid to the Government for decarbonisation works” NGH’s Director of Facilities and Estates, Paul Shead.
Dr Clare Topping, Head of Sustainability at Northampton General Hospital explained that the new technologies had ‘future proofed’ the site.
She added: “There are so many challenges to working in a hospital environment, it needs to keep running as we combine the new technology with the old, we cannot just turn things off.”
The £15.1 million replacement of the steam infrastructure by Vital Energi means the hospitals carbon footprint is set to reduce by 3,445 tonnes a year. To do this without any disruption within the hospital means they have had to install all pipework alongside the current system with a carefully managed programme.
Along with the Heat pump developments the Trust now has roof-mounted solar panels, 3,500 LED lights and 81 efficient motors and fans that are used in the heating and ventilation systems.
Andy Yates, head of projects at the Carbon and Energy Fund (CEF) said: “We were delighted to be asked by the Trust to lead on the development of their Salix application and subsequent procurement of their energy efficiency and energy generation project to net zero.
“Our CEF experts drew on their unparalleled NHS experience to complete this important project. Well done to all those involved.”
Replacing the Trusts old steam system and boilers from the 1970s, which was fossil fuel reliant, Vital Energi has installed a new state of the art system. This integrates a low temperature water system powered by electricity and solar power.
CEF framework contractor said: “The biggest challenge for this project has been to de-steam an acute hospital site whilst not impacting on patient services during our works. “By collaborating closely with the Trust teams, we have been able to successfully transition the site from an old steam system to a modern, efficient low temperature hot water system, without impacting on clinical services.
CEF has connected the hospital with Salix, who administrated the grant funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme on behalf of the Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Salix Relationship Manager Hira Raashid said: “As an enabler for these grant allocations, and as a liaison point for stakeholders, we are delighted to see the completed energy improvement outcomes at Northampton General Hospital after several years of work.”
