SSE powers care for 1.5m with major contract

The firm secured the landmark deal with the Health & Social Care Trusts (HSC) and other related HSC organisations.

SSE Airtricity, the region’s largest provider of wind power and second largest energy provider, now supplies ‘dual fuel’ natural gas and 100 per cent renewable electricity to the Belfast, Western, South Eastern and Northern Trusts as well as the Health & Social Care Board and the Business Services Organisation. The deal also sees SSE Airtricity supplying natural gas to the Southern Trust.

Following the tender process, SSE Airtricity is powering the care and wellbeing of more than 1.5 million patients attending health and social care services facilities across the region, whether in hospitals or local health centres.

“This new contract will see electricity supplied from 100% renewable sources, flexibility for organisations in how they procure their energy and savings in excess of £4million on electricity during the first year of the contract,” said Health Minister Michelle O’Neill.

“By pooling our resources and using the buying power of the entire health sector, we have managed to drive down costs by 20% and contribute to the well-being of our planet by using renewable, sustainable and flexible energy sources.”

Andrew Greer, SSE Airtricity General Manager (NI) said: “This is the first public sector tender here to contain a sustainability requirement, and as a company founded on the principles of sustainability and renewable power, we’re pleased to see this principle established in this tender.

“By switching to SSE Airtricity’s clean, green electricity supply the Trusts will dramatically improve their carbon footprints by together eliminating over 225,000 tonnes of harmful CO2 emissions.