With the Scope 1 & 2 emissions of the 38 PFI-managed hospitals in Equans’ portfolio at 150kt of CO₂e, the case to decarbonise NHS estates is both urgent and compelling, offering an opportunity to significantly reduce emissions and align with the NHS’ net-zero ambitions.
In 2024, Equans initiated a comprehensive decarbonisation programme aligned with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s (IPA) five-stage Decarbonisation Plan. Focused on healthcare, Equans embarked on this ambitious journey across its portfolio of PFI-managed hospital contracts to deliver the first three stages of the plan by the end of 2024, which it has successfully achieved.
The Decarbonisation Process
To drive progress, Equans assembled a dedicated team of Energy-Focused Facilities Management (FM) and Sustainable FM experts.
The process began with Stage 1, where energy data from all 38 hospital sites was meticulously collected to establish the Scope 1 and 2 emissions baseline.
Stage 2, getting to know your contract in detail, involved developing High-Level Net Zero Plans tailored to each site. These were created collaboratively between the Energy-Focused FM and Sustainable FM site teams.
Stage 3 focused on stakeholder engagement. This included presenting High-Level Net Zero Plans, sharing best practices across sites, and implementing Equans’ Energy Interventions behavioural change initiative.
These interventions — such as turning off lights in unused rooms or shutting down idle computer screens — are logged in real time into a bespoke Energy Interventions reporting system. Data is then fed into a dashboard for analysis. This initiative has led to energy savings of approximately 2–5%.
Looking ahead to Stage 4, Equans’ Carbon Shift service creates a prioritised, costed net-zero plan, delivering ready-to-deploy business cases to ensure swift implementation as funding becomes available in Stage 5.
Centralised Coordination for Scale
Equans achieved simultaneous decarbonisation progress across 30 hospitals by leveraging its centralised Energy-Focused FM team. This team coordinated efforts with site-based teams, energy managers, and Carbon Shift teams.
The Carbon Shift team provided critical expertise to help hospital trusts explore internal and external funding options and maximise the potential for energy savings through PFI agreement modifications.
Cambridge University Hospital: Renewable Microgrid Power Purchase Agreement
Equans partnered with Cambridge University Hospital and Cambridgeshire County Council to deliver a 2.3 MW solar carport microgrid, with a 2km 11kV private wire connecting to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
The project features rapid EV charger expansion capability and a bi-directional Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). It reduces energy costs for the hospital while generating long-term revenue for the council.
This innovative solution demonstrates how renewable energy systems can deliver significant carbon reduction while enhancing operational efficiency and resilience.
Best Practices in Action: North Middlesex University Hospital
At North Middlesex University Hospital, Equans demonstrated the power of collaboration and innovation by leveraging energy-efficient models to replace chillers — not on a like-for-like basis — significantly reducing operational emissions.
Lessons learned from this initiative were shared across the portfolio, promoting scalable best practices.
A Portfolio-Wide Commitment
Equans’ strategic approach to decarbonising healthcare facilities shows how large-scale initiatives can be delivered effectively.
By centralising efforts, collaborating with stakeholders, and embedding sustainability practices into daily operations, Equans is helping hospital clients move toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. This commitment supports the NHS in achieving its net-zero goals while keeping patient care front and centre.
Cross-Sector Opportunity
Beyond PFI hospitals, Equans’ scalable five-stage approach will be replicated across its education portfolio in 2025.
This expansion aims to decarbonise schools and universities, reducing carbon footprints while improving energy efficiency and cost management. Insights and best practices from the healthcare sector will be used to deliver tailored solutions for educational institutions.
Simon Hayman, Regional Director, Equans UK & Ireland, said:
“Our decarbonisation of PFI strategy has successfully achieved the first three stages of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s (IPA) five-step Decarbonisation Plan for our healthcare portfolio. This achievement highlights the strength of Equans’ collaboration with its clients and the expertise of our dedicated teams in delivering impactful, sustainable solutions.”
For further information:
enquiries.uk@equans.com
equans.co.uk
