Solar project saving RJAH £750,000 a year while supporting greener healthcare

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) has completed one of the UK's most ambitious NHS solar energy projects, helping to reduce carbon emissions while saving around £750,000 a year on electricity costs.

Delivered in partnership with renewable energy specialists ZLC Energy, the six-year project has seen solar panels installed across every viable rooftop and car park canopy at the Oswestry-based hospital, alongside a 650kWh battery storage system.

The 3 megawatt (MW) solar installation is expected to generate between 2.5 and 3 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean electricity each year, providing around 75% of the hospital's annual electricity requirements.

As a result, the Trust expects to save approximately £750,000 annually on energy costs, with the savings able to be reinvested into frontline patient care. The project will also reduce the hospital's carbon emissions by around 600 tonnes each year, supporting the NHS ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions.

Ben Huband, Estates Compliance and Energy Manager, said: “By combining solar PV, innovative car park canopies, and battery storage, we're not just generating renewable electricity – we're building a more resilient hospital, reducing carbon emissions, and strengthening our energy resilience for the benefit of our patients, staff, and community.

"This project represents a significant investment in the future of our hospital. It enables us to reduce our reliance on grid electricity while making long-term financial savings that can be redirected into delivering the highest quality care for our patients."

The project, which was delivered between 2020 and 2026, makes RJAH the first hospital in the UK to fully utilise all available rooftop and car park space for solar power generation.

The battery storage system captures excess electricity generated during the day, allowing it to be used when solar generation is lower, helping to maximise the efficiency of the renewable energy system and improve the hospital's energy resilience.

Mark Smith, Director of ZLC Energy, said: “We’re proud to have delivered a full energy management solution that allows this large solar and battery system to dovetail seamlessly into a rural, complex grid. We’ve engineered a 650kWh battery storage system that captures excess solar generation during the day and powers the hospital at night.”