NHS Tayside has revealed its energy use costs are anticipated to “almost double” in the space of a year.
In the period 2021/22, energy use in NHS Tayside buildings produced 43,877 tonnes of CO2, costing £8.1 million.
Despite efforts to reduce energy consumption by nearly five per cent, NHS Tayside’s energy bill for 2022/23 is expected to rise to £16.4 million.
In response an energy efficiency programme is being rolled out at the health board’s hospitals to try and save £1.2 million per year in energy costs.
NHS Tayside has invested in a number of projects to also reduce energy use and improve the carbon performance of hospital sites.
These include the installation of LED lighting at Perth Royal Infirmary, as well at Ninewells Hospital, Kings Cross Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital and Dundee Dental Hospital.
Other work includes installing new heating controls and replacing pumps and motors to more efficient versions that can be better controlled.
NHS Tayside made successful funding applications for £1.1m via the Scottish Government’s Green Public Sector Estate Decarbonisation Scheme (GPSEDS) to invest in the energy efficiency projects.
It is projected that over 1600 tonnes of CO2 will be saved annually and costs of £1.2m a year will also be avoided through lower electricity and gas bills.
The improvements are also expected to lead to reduced maintenance costs in future years.
NHS Tayside head of property, Mark Anderson said: “This programme of work is designed to help make our hospital sites more energy efficient, reduce energy waste and enhance the service and environment for patients and staff.
“Staff in the property team have been working hard to apply for appropriate funding to invest in projects to reduce NHS Tayside’s carbon energy emissions, working towards meeting national environmental targets set by the Scottish Government.
“NHS Tayside is committed to a whole system approach to reduce our carbon energy emissions and the actions which are ongoing will enhance and embed a more sustainable approach across the organisation.”
NHS Tayside energy officer, John Ruddy, added: “These energy-saving projects are just the start of our journey towards Net Zero.
“We’re working on using less energy as part of our strategy to ‘Be lean, be clean and be green’.”
NHS Tayside has committed to the Scottish Government target of achieving Net Zero by 2040, with all buildings to be heated by zero-emissions technology by 2038.
A Net Zero Route Map is being completed and will be published later this year.
