Vital Energi is working with NHS Forth Valley on a multi-technology energy project across the estate to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support the delivery of the board’s net-zero targets.

This work will include the installation of more-thermally-efficient glazing, roof-mounted solar, insulation, LED lighting, BMS infrastructure, and electric boilers.

Financial savings from these improvements are expecting to be around £59,000 a year and utilises a blend of energy conservation measures which are tailored to the board’s shortlisted buildings.

Lifetime carbon savings are anticipated as 1,595 tonnes of carbon dioxide and the scope developed in this phase creates a pathway for further carbon reduction solutions to be implemented in the future.

Kieran Walsh, Vital Energi’s operations manager (North & Scotland), said: “We have seen, from previous projects with the NHS, that there is scope to provide innovation to the way health boards generate and consume energy, reducing both their carbon footprint and energy bills.

“NHS Forth Valley is taking a significant step towards its net zero goals by harnessing a mixture of technologies that capitalise on energy and carbon reduction opportunities across their estate and we are delighted to be assisting it on its journey.”

Almost £2m of funding from the Green Public Sector Estate De-Carbonisation Scheme (GPSEDS) will be used to improve the energy efficiency across the 13 sites which represents over 12,000sq m of building space.

Almost £2m of funding from the Green Public Sector Estate De-Carbonisation Scheme will be used to improve energy efficiency across 13 sites

This supports efforts to reduce maintenance and energy costs and contribute to the delivery of targets set out in NHS Scotland’s Climate Emergency & Sustainability Strategy.

Mr Derek Jarvie, NHS Forth Valley’s head of climate change and sustainability, said: “Increasing the energy efficiency of local healthcare facilities across Forth Valley is a key priority as this will not only cut energy bills and generate income, but will also help reduce carbon emissions.

“This work is just one of a wide range of initiatives underway to reduce waste, use more-environmentally-friendly products and deliver greener, more-sustainable services in our efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

“The project will see Vital Energi install a range of energy conservation measures across 13 of the board’s buildings, including the Airth Health Centre, Camelon Health Centre, Falkirk Community Hospital (Westfield Medical Practice and Woodlands Resource Centre), Slamannan Health Centre, Bannockburn Health Centre, Dunblane Health Centre, Orchard House Health Centre, Stirling Health and Care Village (Livilands Resource Centre), St Ninians Health Centre, Clackmannan Health Centre, and Tullibody Health Centre.

“The works will also see improvements to greenspace around Stenhousemuir Health Centre funded by the contractor.

“This will support the health and wellbeing of staff onsite and people in the local community, as well as encouraging greater biodiversity.”