Rugeley Leisure Centre will soon become a lot greener!

Work installing solar panels on the roof of the leisure centre has begun thanks to funding from Sport England (SE) as part of the national Swimming Pool Support Fund.

Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (IHL) who manage the facility on behalf of Cannock Chase District Council (CCDC) are working in partnership with property consultants, Barkers Associates and the Cotswold Energy Group to install the 178.65 Kilo-watt per hour panels.

The project will cost £160,000 and will save £3,322 per month! That’s a whopping £39,800 saved per year on energy bills. In total, over the course of the panels 20-year lifespan, almost £800,000 in electricity savings will be achieved. But it’s not just the cost savings that matter!

The solar panels will save an estimated 27.9 tonnes in CO2  emissions each year – that’s a massive 557.8 tonnes of carbon saved over the next two decades.

Managing Director of Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, Neil Hutchinson said: “We’re thrilled that our bid to Sport England was successful, these new solar panels will make a huge difference, not just in terms of cost savings but also in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

“We are committed to encouraging residents in Cannock to live healthier, happier lives and these new solar panels also mean a healthier future for the environment we all live in.”

Installation of the panels began on Tuesday 21 January and is expected to be completed by the end of February.

The Swimming Pool Support Fund was set up to help local authorities with the cost of running pools in the wake of higher energy costs and other price increases, such as the cost of chemicals.

Councillor David Williams, Portfolio Leader for Community Wellbeing at Cannock Chase Council said: “It’s great to see the solar panels being installed at Rugeley Leisure Centre.

“They will not only enhance our facilities, but also decrease energy consumption, having a significant impact on the running costs whilst lowering carbon emissions. This reflects progress towards the Council’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality.  A great investment for the residents in Rugeley and the surrounding areas.”