Around 40,000 tonnes of CO2 will be offset by April 2020 as 11 per cent of the NHS estate will switch to renewable energy, this is according to an announcement by NHS Property Services.

The company has agreed two new contracts via Inspired Energy that will switch its entire estate portfolio (which includes over 3,500 properties) to renewable energy. British Gas will provide 100 per cent renewable electricity and Corona will provide natural gas to all properties across England by April 2020.

The move follows the launch of the ‘For a greener NHS’ campaign – an initiative designed to help transform the NHS estate to be run from sustainable, green energy.

The NHS is currently responsible for 4-5 per cent of the UK’s carbon footprint. In September 2019, Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, said the NHS would be accelerating its efforts to tackle climate change with a series of measures to reduce its carbon output.

The use of renewable electricity won’t increase costs to either NHSPS tenants or NHSPS itself. With the implementation of a new procurement strategy, as part of the new contracts.

“Switching to 100 per cent renewable electricity for all our buildings is a landmark moment in efforts to transform our NHS portfolio into a sustainable estate.”

Martin Steele, Chief Operating Officer, NHS Property Services

As well as being responsible for over 11 per cent of the NHS estate itself, NHSPS provides property and facilities management expertise to the NHS. The organisation seeks to create a more fit for purpose estate and generate vital funds, all of which are reinvested back into the NHS estate to support improvements in frontline patient care.

Commenting on the deal, Martin Steele, Chief Operating Officer at NHS Property Services, said: “Switching to 100 per cent renewable electricity for all our buildings is a landmark moment in efforts to transform our NHS portfolio into a sustainable estate.

“This move will also help us to improve the wellbeing of our people and patients whilst reducing NHS operating and maintenance costs.”

NHS Property Services manages a portfolio of 3,500 properties – worth over £3 billion – representing over 11 per cent of the entire NHS estate. The vast majority of its sites are used for clinical, local healthcare and fall into one of three categories: Health centres and GP surgeries; Hospitals/hospital-related properties; or Offices.