Nearly 1,000 solar panels have been installed across three leisure facilities in North Yorkshire as part of a major green initiative to reduce public energy expenditures by an estimated £2 million over the next 25 years.
The extensive rooftop installations have been completed at the Active North Yorkshire hubs in Ripon and Thirsk, as well as at Whitby Leisure Centre. Co-funded by North Yorkshire Council and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority via the Mayoral Renewables Fund, which is backed by a £1 million grant from Great British Energy, the project represents a key milestone in the region’s legally binding strategy to become completely carbon-negative by 2040.
Over a 25-year lifespan, the new infrastructure is projected to prevent nearly 2,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. The panel distribution across the three facilities is broken down as follows:
- Whitby Leisure Centre: Received the largest single deployment with over 400 panels.
- Active North Yorkshire Ripon (The Jack Laugher Centre): Upgraded with 265 panels.
- Thirsk and Sowerby Leisure and Wellbeing Hub: Equipped with 149 panels.
The project, managed and implemented by engineering contractor BCS Group, is part of a broader sustainability roll-out authorised by Metro Mayor David Skaith to update 16 community buildings across the territory. Furthermore, the green upgrades run alongside a wider £36 million leisure investment strategy previously approved by the council to modernise physical facilities in Selby, Skipton, Pickering, and Whitby, complemented by a separate £3 million fund to refresh gym equipment at 12 further municipal sites.
“This is positive news. It is important that we continue to make this county a more environmentally friendly place to live, work and visit. One way of achieving that is by improving the efficiency of our public buildings and homes by embracing green technology and renewable energy, and we are carrying out significant work in this area. The installation of nearly 1,000 solar panels at these sites will help us generate energy more cheaply, reduce the amount we pay on our bills, and allow these savings to be invested in other areas of need across North Yorkshire.”
“Lowering bills and improving our environment means that 16 of our region’s community buildings, such as these facilities in Ripon, Thirsk and Whitby, will spend less on energy and more on what matters – supporting people. Through the Mayoral Renewables Fund, we are moving in the right direction, towards becoming the first region in England to reach carbon negative by 2040. It’s a big goal, but it’s one we can reach one step at a time all while supporting our communities right across York and North Yorkshire.”
“We are delighted to be working with North Yorkshire Council and helping to support the environmental and financial sustainability of these leisure centres. We take great pride in our work, and supporting the communities we live and work in is important to us as we want to have a positive impact. The installation of the solar panels will reduce the costs of the running of these fabulous centres. Ultimately, it will have a positive impact for the public and support the running of these vital community facilities – it is a pleasure to be involved.”
