In a bold move to reduce public sector energy costs and accelerate the UK’s transition to clean power, Great British Energy has announced its first major project: installing rooftop solar panels on approximately 200 schools and 200 NHS sites.
Backed by a £200 million government investment, the initiative aims to lower energy bills, reinvest savings into frontline services, and support local clean energy projects.
Powering Classrooms and Operating Theatres
With UK schools and hospitals struggling under the weight of soaring energy bills driven by volatile global fossil fuel markets this solar initiative comes at a critical time.
Schools have seen energy costs eat into budgets meant for education, while the NHS, the largest public sector energy user, now faces an annual energy bill of £1.4 billion, more than double what it was in 2019.
Through this project:
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£80 million will go toward fitting solar panels on 200 schools in England.
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£100 million will support 200 NHS sites, covering around a third of NHS trusts.
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The first solar panels are expected to be operational by summer 2025, helping schools save on costs for the next academic year.
The expected lifetime savings for schools and the NHS could reach up to £400 million over the next 30 years.
Real Cost Savings Estimates show:
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A typical school could save up to £25,000 per year.
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An average NHS site might save up to £45,000 annually when solar panels are p\\\\aired with battery storage and other supporting tech.
These savings could be redirected to improve classroom resources, enhance patient care, and strengthen public services in deprived areas—directly supporting the government’s Plan for Change.
Take advantage of the fully funded solar system
Supporting Local and Community Power Projects
Beyond schools and hospitals, Great British Energy is also set to partner with community groups and devolved governments across the UK:
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£12 million will support local clean energy projects, including onshore wind, rooftop solar, and river-powered hydropower.
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An additional £9.3 million will go toward community and rooftop solar schemes in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
These community-driven initiatives are expected to generate clean power, create local jobs, and potentially lower bills further by reinvesting profits back into neighborhoods and essential services.
A Future of Clean, Local Power
This initiative signals the beginning of Great British Energy’s role in delivering publicly-owned clean energy solutions that aim to reduce costs and support essential public services. Its mission is clear: empower communities, cut reliance on fossil fuels, reduce public sector energy bills, and reinvest in a stronger, more sustainable future.
With solar panels soon to power classrooms and hospital wards, this initiative signals not just an investment in renewable energy, but in the health and education of future generations.