New lighting systems will help to dramatically reduce carbon emissions at hospitals operated by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

As part of an ongoing £4m energy performance contract (EPC), led by Veolia, a lighting upgrade across Lincoln County Hospital, Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, and Grantham and District Hospital will enhance the patient care environment, cut carbon, deliver a 91% energy saving, and generate electrical operating savings of around £400,000 a year.

The upgrade covers the installation of 10,106 LED light fittings, including standard and emergency luminaires across the main hospital sites.  

The new systems are linked to smart controls and sensors that monitor ambient light and presence, control output to the correct level, dim and switch when there is sufficient daylight, and illuminate only when the area is occupied. 

These combine an improved quality of lighting throughout each building with annual energy savings of 4,522,344kWh a year, and CO2 savings of over 2,400 tonnes. 

Backing the lighting upgrades are a range of additional carbon reduction measures including a new combined heat and power plant, boiler enhancements, conversion of the steam system to a low-temperature hot water network, and new electrical infrastructure upgrades and control systems. 

The new plant will be operated and maintained by Veolia's engineering teams for 15 years, with investment payback expected in just over three years. 

Claire Hall, associate director of strategic business planning at the trust, said: “Sustainability, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction, are a key priority.

“We have already made great strides in reducing our carbon footprint and by upgrading and investing in sustainable technologies, it’s our ambition to reduce this by 28% by the end of 2021.”

The new contract will build on the reductions achieved by Veolia at Lincoln Hospital where around 64,000 tonnes of CO2 has been saved since 2004. Measures have included the successful ‘90k in 90 days’ initiative, a three-month challenge to engage staff  to make regular, small money-saving changes. 

This resulted in the trust cutting its overall carbon footprint by 13% between 2009-2015 against a national average of 10%.