Solar panels installed at St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre
Solar panels have been installed at St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, with more panels planned to be installed following essential roof repairs
Solar panels have been installed at St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, with more planned after essential roof repairs.
The panels, installed over the summer on the sports hall roof, began generating energy by the end of September.
Funded by a £292,600 grant from phase two of the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund, they are expected to save 14 tonnes of carbon emissions and around £14,000 in energy bills per year.
Once all panels are installed, predicted annual savings rise to 21 tonnes of carbon and £21,000.
The Council has previously received funding from the Sport England scheme for energy costs at other leisure centres, including Newbold Comyn. Following further roof works, additional panels will be added to St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre to increase these savings.
Councillor Lowell Williams, Portfolio Holder for Decarbonisation, said: “The Council’s Corporate Strategy prioritises low-cost, low-carbon energy. Decarbonising our leisure centres, which are high energy users, is a key part of that.”
Alex Fuoco-Lang, Contract Manager at Everyone Active, added: “It is great news to have more on-site renewable energy generation. Everyone Active is proud to support the Council’s low carbon ambitions as part of our own net zero strategy.”