Centrica : Business Solutions and St George’s Hospital unveil new energy centre

St George's Hospital in Tooting, South London, is celebrating a major overhaul of its energy centre that will see annual savings of at least 10 per cent off its energy bill.

Delivered by Centrica Business Solutions, the project is guaranteed to save the hospital over £1m per year with no upfront cost, while also reducing annual carbon emissions by 20 per cent (6,000 tonnes) - equivalent to taking 3,000 cars off the road.

The new energy centre was officially opened on Friday 29 June and features two combined heat and power (CHP) units that will deliver almost all of the power needed to run the hospital. Centrica also installed four boilers, a highly efficient chiller system, and energy efficient lighting and controls.

Jorge Pikunic, managing director of Centrica Business Solutions, said: 'I believe this is one of the most significant energy projects in the country, and a demonstration of how energy technologies can be combined to transform ageing infrastructure to make it more resilient, reduce costs and make a positive impact in the environment.'

The St George's energy centre has been delivered under a 15-year Energy Performance Contract that will include operations and maintenance support.

Kevin Howell, director of estates and facilities at the hospital said: 'The NHS is focused on social, financial and environmental sustainability, and this project places St George's at the forefront of these efforts.

'Ultimately, our aim is to create the best possible environment for our patients, and this new facility will allow us to do that while also maximising cost and energy efficiency.'

Operated by St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, St George's is one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK. With 960 beds across 36 wards, as well as 24 operating theatres, it treats around a million patients per year, making it the largest healthcare provider in South West London.