Hospitals are to be encouraged to install wind turbines and solar panels to cut the National Health System's energy costs and help save the planet.
Ministers are to establish a £50m ($98m) fund to improve energy efficiency across the NHS, which emits 1m tonnes of carbon a year and is among the largest and most resource-hungry organisations in the world.
Hospitals will be able to apply to the fund for their own energy projects, which will save costs and reduce emissions. The money saved a potential £12.5m a year will be re-invested in patient care.
Health Minister Dan Poulter said: "Hospitals use a huge amount of power, costing almost £600m every year. This fund gives hospitals the go-ahead for all kinds of efficiency projects that will help them reduce the amount of energy they use and, as a result, their energy bills."
- Independent
