James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe, has welcomed significant government investment that will deliver clean energy upgrades to key local institutions, helping to cut energy bills so more money can be invested in essential services.
Both Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) and Pierrepont Gamston Primary School in Rushcliffe have been awarded funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, enabling the installation of energy-efficient infrastructure such as heat pumps, solar panels and LED lighting.
NUH has received £36 million to support a new phase of its major clean energy overhaul. The investment will allow the trust to install two 2-megawatt heat pumps, new high-voltage electrical infrastructure, LED lighting and bore fields – helping the NHS meet its target to become net zero by 2040.
Andrew Chatten, Director of Estates & Facilities at NUH, said:
“NUH is delighted to have been awarded the PSDS 4 grant of £36m to further continue our journey to net zero carbon. This funding will enable us to achieve 90% of our decarbonisation goals in line with the NHS mandate by 2040.”
He continued: “The grant funding will extend upon the £134m of Salix grant funding already received and embedded in our infrastructure. The scheme will be delivered between 2025 and 2028 and is subject to business case approvals over the next few months.”
Pierrepont Gamston Primary School will also receive £200,000 to support similar energy-saving measures, helping to reduce running costs and create a more sustainable learning environment for pupils.
James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe, said:
“This is positive news for our community. Clean energy upgrades like these are not just about tackling climate change – they’re about making public buildings more efficient, more affordable to run, and more resilient for the future. Ambition must be met with delivery when it comes to energy costs, so I’m pleased to see Rushcliffe included in the latest government announcements.”
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will deliver an estimated £650 million in savings for UK taxpayers every year on average over the next 12 years, and follows Great British Energy’s first major initiative to install solar panels on around 200 schools and 200 NHS sites nationwide, including locations in the East Midlands. The aim is to help public sector sites lower their energy costs and reinvest those savings into frontline services like teaching and healthcare.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, Minister for Energy Consumers, said:
“We’re delivering a clean energy upgrade for communities – from schools to museums to galleries and swimming pools – helping to rebuild vital public services as part of the Plan for Change.
“This investment will see local communities benefit from our sprint to clean power, with warm public buildings run more affordably and taxpayer money spent on vital services.”
