Net-zero: eEnergy wins NHS Trust retrofit heat network funding

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. In a significant step towards decarbonising the country’s public sector fleet infrastructure, Net Zero News can reveal that eEnergy has secured its single largest EV charging project to date with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.

Net Zero News understands this landmark contract was awarded in late October 2025 to install and operate a network of ultra-rapid and fast electric vehicle chargers across multiple NHS sites serving communities in the West Midlands. The project spans acute hospitals, community clinics and administrative hubs, marking a decisive move by the Trust to cut its carbon footprint and support the NHS-wide commitment to net-zero emissions by 2040.

eEnergy, a leading net-zero energy services provider headquartered in London, brings over a decade of experience in designing and delivering clean energy and EV charging infrastructure for public and private organisations. The company has previously partnered with local authorities and private enterprises, but this agreement represents its most ambitious rollout of charging technology to date.

The scope of the installation includes 22 ultra-rapid 150kW chargers and 35 fast 22kW units, with integrated smart energy management software to optimise power flows, minimise grid impact and incorporate on-site solar generation where feasible. The chargers will be accessible to NHS fleet vehicles, staff and approved visitors, with plans for future expansion as uptake grows.

This project matters because transport accounts for nearly a third of the NHS’s overall carbon emissions. By electrifying patient transport vehicles, staff cars and operational vans, the Trust aims to reduce its transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45% within five years. Net Zero News can reveal that the initiative could deliver annual CO₂ savings of over 320 tonnes once fully operational.

Beyond carbon metrics, the new charging network will enhance operational efficiency for the Trust, supporting flexible shift patterns and emergency response vehicles. Improved access to EV infrastructure for staff will also encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles, further amplifying the decarbonisation impact.

In terms of funding and delivery, the project is being jointly financed by the Trust’s capital budgets and a grant from NHS England’s Greener NHS programme. eEnergy has been appointed as the lead contractor, working alongside local distribution network operators (DNOs) to ensure grid capacity upgrades and rapid deployment of resilient infrastructure.

The total investment value for the deal is reported at £2.8 million, covering installation, commissioning and a 10-year maintenance and monitoring agreement. Net Zero News understands work is due to begin in January 2026, with the first chargers going live at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site by summer 2026.

This development sits squarely within the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy, which sets out a pathway to decarbonise road transport and public sector fleets by 2050. It also aligns with the Department for Transport’s Road to Zero vision and the Treasury’s commitment to support local public bodies on their net-zero journeys.

Within the health sector, the project supports the NHS Long Term Plan and the Net Zero NHS Implementation Framework, which require Trusts to cut emissions across estates, fleet and supply chains. Net Zero News understands that meeting these targets will be crucial for achieving the NHS ambition of net-zero operational emissions by 2040.

At a regional level, the initiative is expected to stimulate the local green economy in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Net Zero News can reveal that eEnergy plans to partner with local installers, electricians and civil engineers, creating an estimated 25 specialist jobs and apprenticeships in the coming year.

Patients, staff and the wider community stand to benefit from visible decarbonisation leadership by the Trust. The project also offers a test bed for innovative energy management solutions that could be replicated across other NHS Trusts, accelerating the pace of EV infrastructure roll-out nationwide.

Looking ahead, the project will progress through detailed site surveys and grid connection agreements in early 2026, followed by phased installations and user training sessions. Net Zero News will monitor delivery milestones and report on performance against the Trust’s wider sustainability objectives as this pioneering EV charging network takes shape.

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