Earlier this year, the Trust was awarded £217,000 following a successful application to NHS England through the Great British Energy programme. This builds on an earlier £55,000 award received last year, with solar panels now fully installed and generating electricity on site.
The funding has been used exclusively to install solar panels across the Trust’s hospital sites, helping to reduce energy costs while supporting further investment in patient care.
Great British Energy, a UK government-owned company established to accelerate the transition to clean energy, focuses on supporting renewable power initiatives. Its funding is specifically restricted for the purchase and installation of solar infrastructure within public services.
Over the past 12 months, the Great British Energy and NHS collaboration has helped more than 260 NHS sites in England save money on bills through the solar roll-out scheme—savings that can be reinvested into frontline services.
Chris Gormley, Chief Sustainability Officer, NHS England said: “As Great British Energy marks its first year, it’s fantastic that 162 NHS sites have completed their solar installations.
“This represents important progress in expanding solar generation across the NHS because every pound saved on energy bills is a pound that can go back into patient care. These solar panels are helping trusts across the country do exactly that.
“Together with Great British Energy, we’re building an NHS that is greener, more sustainable and better placed to serve patients for years to come.”
Together, the two investments in solar panel infrastructure will significantly increase the Trust’s on-site renewable energy generation, reducing reliance on external energy supplies and supporting the NHS ambition to become the world’s first net zero health service.
Under the latest phase of the programme, an estimated 180kW of additional solar capacity has been provided throughout the Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Bassetlaw Hospital sites, helping to reduce carbon emissions and support cleaner, more sustainable healthcare delivery for local communities.
This additional capacity is expected to generate enough electricity each year to power the equivalent of around 50 homes, while delivering annual energy cost savings of approximately £25,000. The carbon reduction is comparable to removing around 25–30 tonnes of CO₂ per year — similar to planting approximately 1,300 trees.
Sustainability features have also been embedded into new developments across the Trust. The recently constructed Bassetlaw Emergency Care building and the Montagu Community Diagnostic Centre already benefit from solar panels and heat pump technology in place, with further solar provision at Montagu Hospital to be explored through future funding opportunities.
Mathew Gleadall, Operational Director of Estates and Facilities at DBTH, said: “This further investment in solar energy is a positive step forward for the Trust and for the environment. By increasing the amount of renewable energy we generate on site, we are reducing our environmental impact while making sensible, long-term savings that can be reinvested into patient care.
Sustainability is an important part of how we plan for the future of our services, and this funding has allowed us to build on the progress already made through last year’s installation.”
DBTH is committed to creating modern, sustainable healthcare environments for patients, staff, and the wider community and has recently refreshed its Green Plan, outlining ambitious operational goals for the next four years. Discover how DBTH is putting sustainability into action and shaping a greener future on the Trust website: www.dbth.nhs.uk/green-plan