Energy technology could save NHS £130 million a year

According to data, released by Centrica Business Solutions to mark NHS Sustainable Health and Care Week, the NHS could save at least £130 million per year by updating inefficient and outdated energy systems.

Part of a wider report that examines the potential impact of distributed energy solutions on national job creation, economic growth and productivity, the £130 million figure in savings would be enough to fund more than 4,000 nursing jobs.

NHS acute trusts nationally spend approximately £500 million a year on energy, but some experts argue that better utilisation of distributed energy solutions could help the healthcare sector to take control of their energy and turn it into an opportunity.

Jorge Pikunic, Managing Director at Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Our NHS is an incredible healthcare system and a source of national pride – but it’s also under intense pressure to reduce costs while delivering enhanced services. Energy has a huge role to play in that. Energy could – and should – be a force for good for the NHS, helping to create financial efficiencies and unlock opportunities to make improvements in patient care. However, it needs more support and funding to modernise its hospital estates.

“Energy technology has come a long way in the past few decades and the systems used by most hospitals across Britain can benefit from the latest energy efficient solutions and equipment. A new approach to energy could save the NHS £130 million per year – and that’s just a conservative estimate. The savings could be double this.”

NHS Sustainable Health and Care Week runs from 25–29 June.