Hospital announces £21m carbon-cutting plan

NHS Foundation Trust An entrance sign to the Royal United Hospital in Bath bearing the hospital's name and the NHS logo, it is made out of breeze blocks with hedges in frontNHS Foundation Trust
The plans would see the hospital cut emissions by up to 25%

A city hospital has submitted a planning application that could see it cut its carbon emissions by 25 per cent.

In 2024 the Royal United Hospital in Bath received a £21.6m government grant which it plans to use to redevelop its Energy Centre.

Under the proposals, the RUH would install four air source heat pumps (ASHP), which would allow it to decommission less environmentally friendly gas boilers.

"We're aiming to reach Net Zero for carbon emissions by 2030," said RUH Chief Nursing Officer Toni Lynch.

"Decarbonising our site, and moving towards cleaner, more energy-efficient options, is essential in helping us reach this goal."

Remaining funds from the grant will fund other improvements such as installing solar panels and energy efficient lighting, hospital bosses have said.

A future planning application will see the hospital apply for additional permissions where required to install the pipework and other infrastructure that is needed to circulate the water from the ASHPs.

This would improve efficiency by allowing easy access to repair leaks.

If plans are approved, work would start soon after and it is estimated it would be completed by 2026.

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