Media Release
Date: 6 March 2025
Powering through energy-efficiency improvements at the RUH
The Royal United Hospitals (RUH) NHS Foundation Trust has submitted a second planning permission application as part of its plans to become a more sustainable and energy-efficient organisation by improving its heating system and reducing carbon emissions.
The application compliments a previous application to install Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) on the roof of the hospital’s Energy Centre, which the RUH was pleased to receive approval for in February.
As with the previous application, this second application was submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council by Veolia, the contractor carrying out the decarbonisation building work for the RUH. It seeks permission to install a new route of buried high voltage cabling between a new intake substation near the hospital’s main car park and the Energy Centre. These buried cables will supply power to the ASHPs and a Water Source Heat Pump.
As the cabling will be underground, this work, if approved, will not result in any noticeable long-term changes to the RUH site. Plans will be in place to minimise disruption to local residents, patients and staff while installation work is undertaken, for example by ensuring it takes place during daytime hours.
These improvements are part of a project to de-steam much of the RUH’s 52-acre estate by replacing some of the hospital’s ageing heating systems with these newer, greener and more energy-efficient sources of energy.
The changes are being funded by a £21.6million-grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, administered by Salix. On completion, the proposed works – which the RUH developed with the support of the Carbon and Energy Fund (CEF) – will see the hospital reduce the emissions over which it has direct control by 19% initially and 25% by 2030.
Toni Lynch, Chief Nursing Officer, said: “We are very pleased to have received planning permission to install Air Source Heat Pumps, which will make our energy supply greener and help the RUH move towards our vision of making Bath one of the healthiest places to live and work. We are grateful for the support of our staff, patients and community with this project, and for the partners who have supported us to make this work happen. We look forward to keeping you updated on this second application and as the project progresses.”
If this application is successful, the work to install the cabling is expected to take place later in 2025, and advance notice would be given to staff, patients and the local community.
ENDS
