Surrey Heath Borough Council has taken another significant step on the road to net zero by introducing photovoltaic (PV) solar panels at Places Leisure Camberley, the borough’s flagship leisure centre.
The £165,000 project, funded through Sport England's Swimming Pool Support Fund, has seen solar panels installed on the roof of the centre, while an energy-saving pool cover has also been fitted.
As an exceptionally busy and successful leisure centre with two pools, Places Leisure has a relatively high energy use. PV solar panels are a well-tested, cost-effective way of generating electricity that are easy to install.
The project is expected to save 28 tonnes of carbon per year, while also saving the council money in the long term, demonstrating that driving to net zero can be cost-effective too.
Cllr Morgan Rise, Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder for Net Zero, Environment and Leisure said: "I’m really pleased to see this project completed at the fantastic Places Leisure Camberley, which continues to go from strength to strength.
“By investing in solar technology and fitting energy efficient pool covers, we are reducing our environmental impact and saving on energy costs - a crucial step towards a greener and more sustainable future for Surrey Heath.
“As the number of people using this excellent facility continues to rise, we are proud to be helping to reduce its carbon footprint, and support its continued success.”
Tony Penge, Contract Manager for Places Leisure added: “This showcases both the council and Places Leisure’s commitment to sustainability and our collective approach to reducing carbon emissions. This is especially relevant within aquatic facilities, where energy demands are typically high due to the heating and ventilation required to maintain pool environments.”
This initiative demonstrates Surrey Heath Borough Council's priority of protecting our environment. It builds on previous actions such as investment in electric vehicle charging points, adoption of renewable sources for its energy supply, and investment in lower energy solutions such as LED lighting.