A series of solar panels are being installed on the roof of the Active North Yorkshire Selby leisure centre in a move that is set to significantly reduce swimming pool energy costs.
The project is expected to provide an estimated annual saving of more than £21,900 and contribute to carbon savings from the site.
The upgrades, which will see 216 solar panels fitted, reinforces our continued ambition to work towards becoming net zero by 2030.
Our executive member for managing our environment, Cllr Greg White, whose responsibilities include climate change and carbon reduction, said: “It is vitally important that we continue to improve the energy efficiency of our homes and public buildings.
“This project reinforces our wider commitment to supporting renewable energy by using technology, with the over-arching ambition of reducing our carbon footprint.”
Preparatory work on the roof began last week and the £100,000 project is expected to be completed by the end of March.
It has been financed by Sport England’s swimming pool support fund, which is made up of £40 million of government money for capital investment improving the energy efficiency of public facilities as well as £20 million of lottery funding.
Our executive member for culture, arts and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, whose responsibilities include leisure, said: “These solar panels will help lead to a significant reduction in energy costs from the pool at a time when prices continue to remain high.
“This project is good news for everyone at Active North Yorkshire Selby– it will allow us to make vital savings on energy costs and reduce carbon emissions, while ensuring we continue to offer the best leisure facilities possible for our communities.”
The installation is being overseen by sustainability experts and engineers at Align Property Partners, the council’s multi-disciplinary design building consultancy.
Steven Watts, technical director of electrical engineering at Align, said: “The fitting of these solar panels will greatly assist in driving down energy costs and carbon emissions associated with electricity usage at this premises.
“We are passionate about sustainability and work closely with a number of local authorities across the country to offer advice on ways to improve the energy efficiency of their property portfolio.”
We launched our new sport and active wellbeing service, Active North Yorkshire, in September last year with a new focus on improving health and wellbeing through supporting more people to be physically active.
Selby was among the first leisure centres to move under the banner of Active North Yorkshire – and continues to go from strength to strength with positive feedback from those using the facilities.
Ben Walker, head of development at Active North Yorkshire Selby, said: “We have received some lovely comments from those using the facilities about how smooth the transition has been over the last few months.
“These solar panels will help to bring down the overall cost of running the centre, which helps us to provide the best possible facilities and continue to support improved physical and mental health for our communities across the county.”