A new heat pump system, LED lighting upgrades and insulation measures will be introduced at Walsall Manor Hospital as part of a £12.5 million “green” investment.
Vital Energi has partnered with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to deliver an innovative decarbonisation project that will reduce the Trust’s carbon footprint by 1,200 tonnes each year.
Thanks to funding from Phase 3B of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), Vital Energi will implement a range of energy solutions across the hospital site, from heat pumps to LED lighting upgrades.
The scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix.
As well as reflecting the Trust's dedication to environmental sustainability and enhancing the hospital's energy efficiency, this project will support the NHS in achieving its goal of net zero by 2040.
Serving a population of around 270,000 across Walsall and surrounding areas, Walsall Manor will benefit from low-carbon heating, which will be supplied via a 1MW heat pump system.
Heat pumps take low-grade heat from the ground, water or air and boost it to higher temperatures to make it useable for heating.
Almost 4,000 light fittings will also be upgraded to LED, which will significantly reduce energy consumption. Pipework insulation will be upgraded to improve energy efficiency across the site, and replacement windows will ensure heat loss from the buildings is reduced.
The team from Vital Energi will also build a new plant room in a courtyard to house Air Handling Units (AHUs) for newly refurbished respiratory theatres.
Steve Black, Account Director at Vital Energi, said: "This project represents a major step towards making Walsall Manor Hospital a more sustainable and energy-efficient facility, and we are proud to support the Trust in its mission to create a greener healthcare environment.
“Once complete, the project will support the Trust in its sustainability efforts, and contribute to the NHS' overall net zero goal."
Director of public sector decarbonisation at Salix, Ian Rodger, said: “We’re pleased to work with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to help meet its net zero targets.
“Walsall Manor Hospital is a busy site and this work is part of enabling it to reduce its carbon footprint. This will not only create a site that is more energy efficient but a hospital that is more comfortable for patients, the teams and visitors.”
Completion is scheduled for October 2025.
