Veolia has been awarded the first Carbon Energy Fund Ireland (CEFI) contract for a hospital estate.
The 15-year Energy Infrastructure Project Agreement for Dublin’s Mater Misericordiae University Hospital will reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint by approximately 81,000 tonnes, cut imported electricity from the national grid by 77%, and deliver €26m in guaranteed energy and operational savings.
Under the contract, Veolia will manage projects covering the design, delivery, installation, commissioning and operation of a wide range of energy upgrades.
Included in the energy upgrade will be a 2MWe combined heat and power (CHP) plant, which will generate around 15.5 GWh of electricity a year, maximise heat efficiency, and cut annual carbon emissions by a 4,000 tonnes a year.
A new campus-wide network will distribute the heating to all the buildings on the site; and to ensure they conserve energy, 1500sq m of new double-glazed windows will be fitted, along with door replacements to reduce heat loss.
As good lighting has been shown to have a positive effect on patient outcomes the contract will upgrade 3,000 lighting fittings with the latest technology and controls. Further energy-saving measures will include new pumps and upgraded air conditioning and the energy-saving measures will be guaranteed by Veolia, which will also provide a comprehensive maintenance service for the duration of the contract.
Commenting on the contract, Fergus Elebert, regional director at Veolia Ireland, said: “The award of this contract demonstrates how we can help healthcare providers improve their energy efficiency, cut carbon emissions, and provide valuable cost savings that can be redirected to patient care.
“Our global portfolio of hospital contracts enables us to deliver market-leading energy efficiency into healthcare environments and we look forward to working with the Mater Hospital to help them achieve their environmental targets.”
Alan Sharp, strategic director of estates and facilities at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, added: “The hospital has a proud tradition of innovation and leadership in the provision of healthcare for over 157 years.
“We are delighted to announce this programme in partnership with the Ireland East Hospital Group, the CEF, and the Health Service Executive’s National Health Sustainability Office (NHSO).
“Working with Veolia to invest in modern energy-efficient technology will ensure the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital exceeds the goal set for publicly-funded bodies and in doing so supports Ireland’s national and EU targets on energy efficiency for 2020.”
Delivering energy management to hospitals since 1938, Veolia currently provides energy management to 110 hospitals in Ireland and the UK.
This increases sustainability of the healthcare sector by annually saving 119,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
