Local Authority Portfolio
East and Southeast England
The ambition
We performed technical feasibility studies for various leisure applications for the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund, on behalf of Local Authorities across the east and southeast. In its ongoing endeavour to achieve Net Zero carbon emission by 2030 as part of its wider Net Zero Strategy & Climate Action Plan, North Norfolk District Council’s Victory Swim and Fitness Centre will be the next leisure centre in Norfolk to invest in solar panels, following the successful installation of a solar carport at The Reef Leisure Centre. This follows the £174,725 awarded to the centre through Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund, established to facilitate the improvement of energy efficiency and low carbon technologies at public leisure centres.
The solution
The Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund was announced in June 2023 in light of the increase in energy costs over recent years, with the intention of helping leisure centres to remain open in the face of crippling energy costs, as well as funding longer-term projects which improve the sustainability of leisure centres. The funding was split into two phases; Phase 1 – Revenue comprised £20m of funding to support facilities most vulnerable to closure or significant service reduction due to increased cost pressures, whilst Phase II – Capital included £60m from the government for capital investment to improve the energy efficiency of public facilities with pools in the medium to long term. One of the principal funding objectives for Phase II was to reduce the carbon output of facilities in receipt of funding, compared to the baseline, in line with the government’s Net Zero by 2050 objectives.
RenEnergy’s Technical Feasibility Study for Victory’s roof-mounted system played a crucial role in securing the funding, outlining its viability and providing a thorough analysis of the sites energy consumption and the key performance metrics of the proposed solar PV system – demonstrating how the centre would benefit from the adoption of on-site renewable technology as well as the environmental benefits that would be afforded i.e. reducing carbon emissions. The study included a detailed assessment of the site’s energy consumption and technical constraints which informed the size and design of the solar array, as well as addressing regulatory compliance with the District Network Operator and UK planning legislation. Overall, the study provided a comprehensive approach for progressing the project and ensuring successful implementation of the solar PV system.
In addition to Victory Swim and Fitness Center, RenEnergy has also carried out a technical feasibility study for Dereham Leisure Centre on behalf of Breckland District Council and Parkwood Leisure, as well as a further four leisure centres and local councils located in and around the Greater London area and managed by Parkwood Leisure. These feasibility studies also supported the submission of applications for Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund. RenEnergy was awarded the contract for Dereham Leisure Centre’s roof-mounted solar PV array.
RenEnergy will continue supporting Local Authorities in their applications to Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support fund, in addition to helping them with their wider targets towards Net Zero. RenEnergy has established a large portfolio of projects working with Local Authorities across the UK, developing strong relationships with council members and establishing a thorough understanding of the key challenges that local councils face in reducing their carbon emissions to achieve both their local Net Zero targets and contribute to the national Net Zero by 2050 target. We provide bespoke solutions to the unique challenges faced by individual councils to ensure they are investing in technology which provides value to the wider community as well as addressing their own needs. Beyond technical feasibility studies, RenEnergy has also delivered multiple solar PV projects for Local Authorities across the UK, most notably the delivery of solar carports at The Reef Leisure Centre, Surrey County Council and Northumberland County Council, demonstrating the breadth of services that RenEnergy can provide its clients.
RenEnergy leverages real-world experience and practical expertise in renewable energy, energy storage and electric vehicle solutions. Unlike other consultancy firms, we prioritise hands-on advice from our own team of planners, surveyors, engineers and project managers, ensuring tailored and cost-effective solutions. With a client-centric approach, we focus on understanding our customers’ business objectives and key drivers, whether related to zero carbon targets, energy security or managing volatile electricity prices. We provide clear and technical information to guide the decision-making process based on facts.
If you would like RenEnergy’s assistance with your own aspirations for carbon reduction and sustainable solutions, please contact our team now!
Local Authority Portfolio
East and Southeast England