Solar panel plans for PEH

Thursday 28 February 2019

Guernsey's hospital could be run on renewable energy in the future if plans for solar panels progress.

Guernsey Electricity and the Princess Elizabeth Hospital have said they are "evaluating the potential installation of solar PV generation systems on properties owned and operated by the Health and Social Services Department in Guernsey."

If approved the solar panels would generate power which would be directed back into the island's network offering renewable energy to other users too.

It's part of Guernsey Electricity’s community generation project which wants to give more people the chance to "benefit in an equitable way from developments in the industry, including the generation of secure sources of sustainable electricity.

"The solar PV systems, which would be owned and operated by Guernsey Electricity, would feed directly into the Island’s network, resulting in all Islanders benefiting from an increasing proportion of renewable energy."

Other organisations have already installed solar panels, including Guernsey Electricity itself and Guernsey Post.

Pictured: Guernsey Electricity was granted planning permission in December 2018 to install the largest solar array in the Channel Islands on the roof of Guernsey Post.

Vince Smith, Head of Energy Solutions for Guernsey Electricity, said: "We are delighted to announce this new partnership with the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (PEH) and look forward to exploring the potential opportunities that will help us to further diversify the Island’s energy mix and provide additional security and independence of electricity supply for the Island and our customers. 

"Not everyone can afford to install their own solar array, but through this partnership with the hospital, we hope to provide our customers with an increased supply of secure, renewable energy."

Clive Martin, Head of Estates for Health & Social Care, said: "We are delighted to partner with Guernsey Electricity to investigate opportunities to develop our estate with initiatives such as PV installation. As a major user of electricity on island, HSC are committed to supporting alternative, sustainable routes for generation and view this partnership as an excellent opportunity to combine both our business objectives and resources. 

"The modernisation programme for the PEH provides an excellent opportunity to further the opportunities for positive change in this area and we look forward to working with Guernsey Electricity colleagues to pursue this."

The two organisations at present are investigating the suitability of the PEH’s Sir John Henry Court building for a solar PV system. This potential project, and other future projects, would be similar to the large scale solar array successfully installed at the Vale power station in March 2018. 

Pictured top: The PEH.