Friday 12 February 2021

Solar power in British prisons to support MOJ’s net zero target

Solar energy projects are being implemented in two prisons in Southern England under plans to support the Ministry of Justice's (MOJ) 2025 net zero carbon targets.

Gov Facility Services Ltd (GFSL), part of the MOJ's that provides facility maintenance services to prisons across the South of England, is introducing a series of green upgrades that are expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 2,300 tonnes.

Rooftop solar panels will help HM Prison Bure near Norwich in Norfolk to reduce reliance on the existing electric load by 17% and save 79 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

A second project in Whitemoor Prison in Cambridgeshire will see the installation of ground-based solar panels, which is due for completion in July.

Stewart Grew, GFSL Energy Services Manager said: “This is a prime example of using clean energy to create 'eco-prisons' and not just meet but exceed the Ministry of Justice's carbon reduction targets by 2025.

“We also have other interesting projects in the pipeline like an LED lighting replacement programme and the installation of heat pumps and biomass boilers.”