Government puts wind up hospitals

Hospitals are to be encouraged to install wind turbines and solar panels to cut the National Health System's energy costs and help save the planet.

Ministers are to establish a £50m ($98m) fund to improve energy efficiency across the NHS, which emits 1m tonnes of carbon a year and is among the largest and most resource-hungry organisations in the world.

Hospitals will be able to apply to the fund for their own energy projects, which will save costs and reduce emissions. The money saved a potential £12.5m a year will be re-invested in patient care.

Health Minister Dan Poulter said: "Hospitals use a huge amount of power, costing almost £600m every year. This fund gives hospitals the go-ahead for all kinds of efficiency projects that will help them reduce the amount of energy they use and, as a result, their energy bills."

- Independent