Over 400 Solar Panels Installed at Whitby Leisure Centre to Cut Energy Bills

Whitby Leisure Centre has been fitted with more than 400 solar panels as part of a major project to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions across North Yorkshire.

More than 400 solar panels have been installed on the roof of Whitby Leisure Centre in a major move that is set to reduce energy costs by hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The significant upgrade in Whitby is part of a wider environmental project by North Yorkshire Council aimed at improving the energy efficiency of public buildings. Alongside leisure facilities in Ripon and Thirsk, the Whitby installation brings the total number of new solar panels fitted across the local authority's sites to nearly 1,000.

It is estimated that the green technology across the three sites could contribute combined savings of nearly 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. Furthermore, the local authority expects the panels to save more than £2 million in electricity charges over the next twenty-five years.

The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority delivered the project, which reinforces a shared regional ambition to become carbon negative by the year 2040. The initiative was funded directly by the council alongside Great British Energy’s Mayoral Renewables Fund, following a £1 million grant allocated by the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith. This funding aims to support a total of sixteen community buildings across the region.

The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, said:

"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."

The leader of North Yorkshire Council, Councillor Carl Les, said:

"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."

The physical installation of the panels at the Whitby site was overseen by the contractor BCS Group.

The operations director of BCS Group, Adrian Veitch, said:

"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."

Whitby Leisure Centre is currently operated by Everyone Active, but the facility is set to become part of the Active North Yorkshire network next year.

The environmental upgrades coincide with a broader multi-million-pound investment strategy that was approved by North Yorkshire Council in November last year. A total of £36 million is being invested in four key sites, which prominently includes the facilities in Whitby and Pickering.

The Pickering leisure site, which is also currently operated by Everyone Active, is due to join the Active North Yorkshire network alongside the Whitby centre in 2027.

As part of the wider health and wellbeing strategy, an additional £3 million is to be invested in a phased programme to upgrade gym and fitness equipment across a further twelve leisure sites overseen by the council.