{"id":1769,"date":"2026-04-09T08:41:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/?p=1769"},"modified":"2026-04-09T08:41:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:41:21","slug":"swansea-bay-uhb-s-revolutionary-solar-scheme-gets-3-6m-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/?p=1769","title":{"rendered":"Swansea Bay UHB\u2019s Revolutionary Solar Scheme Gets \u00a33.6m Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\ufeff<\/p>\n<p><meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no\"><meta http-equiv=\"X-UA-Compatible\" content=\"IE=edge\"><meta name=\"format-detection\" content=\"telephone=no\"><meta charset=\"utf-8\"><title>Swansea Bay | Solar Scheme<\/title><meta name=\"description\" content=\"BESS enables the energy generated during daylight hours to be utilised after sunset. Alongside carbon reductions, the solar farm expansion anticipates annual energy cost savings exceeding \u00a31.2 million.\"><meta name=\"keywords\" content=\"\"><meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index,follow\"><meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index,follow\"><meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary\"><meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Swansea Bay | Solar Scheme\"><meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"\"><meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"website\"><meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/press-releases\/swansea-bay-uhb-s-revolutionary-solar-scheme-gets-3-6m-extension\/\"><meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Swansea Bay | Solar Scheme\"><meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<p>In 2021 Morriston Hospital became the first hospital in Wales to develop a solar farm.\u00a0 The project was successful in cutting their carbon emissions by 1,933 tonnes per year and work has begun on a new \u00a33.6m solar extension and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/battery-storage\/\">battery energy storage system<\/a> (BESS) which will deliver another 1MW of clean energy for the Health Board.<\/p>\n<p>The new BESS will allow for the energy created during the daytime to be used after sunset, allowing more of the electricity generated to be used by the hospital. In addition to the carbon savings, the solar farm and extension are expected to save over \u00a31.2 million in energy costs per year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-image rte\" data-anchor=\"\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-image__wrap\">\n<div class=\"rich-text-image__img-holder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rich-text-image__img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/4a5bpwgb\/20231129_085610.jpg?anchor=center&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=835&amp;height=474&amp;rnd=133459156144030000\" alt=\"20231129 085610\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-image__text-container\">\n<p style=\"text-align:center\">The new Battery Storage Energy System (BESS) being installed on site.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/javascript:\" class=\"js-read-more-rte read-more-btn\">Solution detail<span class=\"btn__link font-ico-plus\"><\/span><span class=\"btn__link font-ico-minus\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"quote\">\n<div class=\"wrap quote__wrap\">\n<div class=\"swiper-container js-simple-quotes\">\n<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n<div class=\"quote__holder\"><span class=\"quote__icon\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"36\" height=\"28\" viewbox=\"0 0 36 28\"><g fill=\"#F58220\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M12.319 0h3.648a2 2 0 0 1 1.838 2.788l-10.286 24A2 2 0 0 1 5.681 28H2.033a2 2 0 0 1-1.838-2.788l10.286-24A2 2 0 0 1 12.319 0zM30.319 0h3.648a2 2 0 0 1 1.838 2.788l-10.286 24A2 2 0 0 1 23.681 28h-3.648a2 2 0 0 1-1.838-2.788l10.286-24A2 2 0 0 1 30.319 0z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg> <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"quote__holder\">\n<p class=\"quote__text\">The solar farm has been a huge success in the two years it has been operational, and the savings in finances and energy prove that. As a healthcare provider it\u2019s important we respond to our obligation to protect health, the environment, and public finances.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"quote__author\">Des Keighan &#8211; Assistant Director-Estates, <span class=\"quote__position\"> Swansea Bay UHB<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<p>Mr Keighan Continued, &#8220;Those two factors are really important. Our savings coincide with the rising costs of electricity, and in terms of carbon emissions it is at a time when it\u2019s more important than ever to look after our environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a health board, we are determined to continue reducing our carbon footprint, and the solar farm has helped us enormously in that respect.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The additional 1MW will increase the overall generation of power to 5MW &#8211; an extra 1,000,000 kWh per year &#8211; taking the total expected annual generation to 5 million kWh. The total demand for the hospital is close to 15m kWh per year.<\/p>\n<p>The solar extension and BESS are expected to generate a third of Morriston Hospital\u2019s power and make an additional annual saving of around \u00a3325k to the \u00a3900,000 already being saved each year on electricity costs.<\/p>\n<p>Until now, the solar farm has provided around a quarter of the hospital\u2019s electricity needs.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-image rte\" data-anchor=\"\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-image__wrap\">\n<div class=\"rich-text-image__img-holder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rich-text-image__img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/b0afaso3\/swansea-solar-farm.png?anchor=center&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=835&amp;height=474&amp;rnd=133465188543730000\" alt=\"Swansea Solar Farm\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-image__text-container\">\n<p style=\"text-align:center\">Phase 1 of the solar farm which will now be expanded by a further 1MW<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/javascript:\" class=\"js-read-more-rte read-more-btn\">Solution detail<span class=\"btn__link font-ico-plus\"><\/span><span class=\"btn__link font-ico-minus\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<p>Beverley Radford, Estates Programme Manager, said: &#8220;The combined effect of both of these systems will be to further reduce reliance on grid electricity at Morriston with a corresponding additional saving of around \u00a3325k per year plus helping to insulate the health board from volatile and generally increasing future energy costs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe saw unprecedented swings in electricity prices and energy prices generally caused by global geopolitical factors outside of our control in 2022 and this year. It was this backdrop of spiralling energy prices which led to the increase in generation capacity and the addition of the battery to our solar farm together with the health board&#8217;s commitment to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDuring this time, there were occasions when the solar generated more power than the hospital needed, so the electricity was sold back to the grid. The price of that has doubled within two years, which has impacted on the viability of the farm and is one of the reasons it is possible now to expand the farm.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This latest phase is expected to be fully operational by April 2024.<\/p>\n<p>It is the first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/solar-farms\/\">solar farm<\/a> in the UK to directly power a hospital, and has already delivered a cost-avoidance of \u00a31.8m in electricity bills since being switched on two years ago by generating its own power instead of purchasing it from the grid.<\/p>\n<p>The solar farm initially cost \u00a35.7m, with this extension costing \u00a33.6m \u2013 repayable over 11 years &#8211; which has been funded by an invest to save grant from Welsh Government&#8217;s Wales Funding Programme.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-image rte\" data-anchor=\"\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-image__wrap\">\n<div class=\"rich-text-image__img-holder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rich-text-image__img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/41lnca2o\/20231129_130356.jpg?anchor=center&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=835&amp;height=474&amp;rnd=133459156110300000\" alt=\"20231129 130356\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-image__text-container\">\n<p style=\"text-align:center\">The Battery will allow solar generated during the day to be stored and used after sunset.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/javascript:\" class=\"js-read-more-rte read-more-btn\">Solution detail<span class=\"btn__link font-ico-plus\"><\/span><span class=\"btn__link font-ico-minus\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<p>Scott Lutton, Vital Energi\u2019s Operations Director explains, \u201cSwansea Bay UHB have a fantastic approach towards decarbonisation.\u00a0 They have a long-term plan, with a clear strategy of how they will reach Net Zero and we are delighted to be able to work alongside them to deliver this.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBy focusing on energy reduction first, then creating a solar farm and decarbonising their heating infrastructure they have demonstrated how a phased approach can yield strong decarbonisation, we believe they are a role model for public sector organisations who need to meet their net zero targets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Work is already in progress, with over 1,800 new panels being constructed, taking the total to 11,836.<\/p>\n<p>The extension will be completed towards the end of February with the extension and battery expected to be fully operational in April.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ufeff Swansea Bay | Solar Scheme In 2021 Morriston Hospital became the first hospital in Wales to develop a solar farm.\u00a0 The project was successful in cutting their carbon emissions by 1,933 tonnes per year and work has begun on a new \u00a33.6m solar extension and battery energy storage system (BESS) which will deliver another [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":421,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ve_media_section":[3],"ve_media_year":[],"ve_sector":[],"class_list":["post-1769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","ve_media_section-press-releases"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1769"},{"taxonomy":"ve_media_section","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_media_section&post=1769"},{"taxonomy":"ve_media_year","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_media_year&post=1769"},{"taxonomy":"ve_sector","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_sector&post=1769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}