Working together to decarbonise public sector heat

Decarbonising public sector buildings is a significant challenge, particularly when it comes to reducing emissions from heating. While electricity generation is becoming less carbon-intensive, organisations must find ways to move away from fossil fuels such as gas and oil.

With previous public sector decarbonisation funding no longer available, organisations also face the challenge of securing investment to deliver projects. However, Steven Heap from the Carbon and Energy Fund believes the technology and expertise needed to make progress are already available.

Successful decarbonisation requires more than simply installing new technology. It means taking a coordinated, whole-building approach, supported by strong leadership, effective project management and collaboration.

Key issues:

• Choosing the right technology: Heat pumps offer significant potential, but systems must be designed around the needs of individual buildings.
• Taking a whole building approach: Delivering projects across an entire building or portfolio can help organisations maximise opportunities and efficiencies.
• Bringing funding together: Combining technologies, such as heat pumps and solar panels, can help generate savings and support wider investment.
• Putting people first: Senior leadership commitment and collaboration between teams are essential to turning plans into action.

A project at Eastbourne District General Hospital demonstrates how decarbonisation can improve buildings as well as reduce emissions. The hospital secured more than £27 million in funding through Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by our teams at Salix and supported by the Carbon and Energy Fund.

The hospital was reclad and reroofed - improving the building’s thermal performance.

The result was a more comfortable environment for patients and staff, showing how investment in energy efficiency can deliver benefits beyond carbon reduction.

Warmer buildings, improved comfort and better working environments all help demonstrate the value of taking a wider view of decarbonisation.

With the NHS targeting net zero by 2040 and the wider public sector by 2050, the scale of the task is considerable. Securing third-party funding and developing robust investment cases will be increasingly important.

In Tomorrow’s Energy, Steven highlights the need for public sector organisations, funders, energy service companies, technology providers and procurement specialists to work together towards a shared goal.

His message is one of optimism and collective action:

“We have all of the tools and we have all of the knowledge and we just need to bring it all together.”