University Hospital Wales has transformed an ordinary multi‑storey car park into one of the NHS’s most innovative renewable energy assets. RenEnergy UK Ltd delivered a bespoke solar carport directly beneath the hospital’s active Air Ambulance flight path and beside a live blue‑light route – without disrupting a single clinical service. The installation now generates significant on‑site clean energy, cuts more than 100 tonnes of CO₂ each year and strengthens the hospital’s long‑term energy resilience. Combining technical precision with meticulous planning, the project demonstrates how renewable infrastructure can enhance critical healthcare environments while supporting the NHS’s journey toward Net Zero.
Scope of Work
Work completed by RenEnergy UK Ltd included the design, installation, and commissioning of a multi-storey solar carport system within a live NHS hospital environment. The carport is located directly beneath the operational flight path of the Air Ambulance helipad and adjacent to a blue-light emergency access lane at the lower level of the car park; both critical assets remained fully operational for the entire duration of the construction phase.
The primary objectives of the project were to reduce long-term energy costs, lower operational carbon emissions, and support NHS Net Zero ambitions, while ensuring full compliance with all relevant NHS standards, legislative obligations, and safety requirements.
The project was delivered within a highly complex, live clinical setting, requiring rigorous planning, detailed risk management, and close stakeholder coordination to ensure zero disruption to hospital operations, emergency services, or patient care.
This scope reflects our core expertise in safely delivering technically complex renewable energy infrastructure in high-risk, operational environments, where maintaining the continuity of critical services is paramount.
Systems Installed
- Total installed capacity: 653.82 kWp
- Solar modules installed: 1,282
- Total PV surface area: 2,893 m²
- Inverters: 12 inverters
Expected Annual Performance
- Electricity generated: 1,048.54 kWh/kWp
- CO₂ emissions avoided: 102,148 kg / year
- On-site renewable generation without impacting clinical operations
Benefits
- Supports NHS Net Zero ambitions
- Reduces long-term exposure to volatile energy costs
- Makes productive use of existing estate footprint
- Provides weather protection for staff, patients and visitors
- Delivers dual-use infrastructure without disrupting hospital services
- reduces carbon emissions by approximately 102,148 kg / year
- strengthens long-term energy resilience
Conclusion
The University Hospital Wales (UHW) solar carport installation demonstrates how large-scale renewable energy can be successfully delivered within a live NHS environment, without disrupting clinical operations. With an installed capacity of 653.82 kWp across 1,282 modules, the scheme generates significant on-site electricity, avoids over 102 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, and strengthens long-term energy resilience. By making productive use of the existing estate, the project supports NHS Net Zero ambitions, reduces exposure to volatile energy costs, and provides added benefits such as weather protection for staff, patients, and visitors. Overall, the installation represents a practical, dual-use infrastructure solution that delivers measurable environmental, operational, and economic value.
“I’m proud of how this complex, bespoke solar carport was delivered on top of a fully operational, multi-storey car park at the largest and busiest hospital in Wales. Careful and diligent planning of every phase with patient care and hospital operations front of mind—carefully sequencing works, coordinating closely with hospital stakeholders, and always maintaining safe access to all non-working areas. Through detailed logistics planning, out-of-hours works where required, and proactive communication, we minimised disruption to staff, patients, and visitors while successfully delivering a high-quality renewable energy asset in an extremely constrained live environment.” William Lloyd, Senior Project Manager, RenEnergy UK Ltd.
