Energy bills at East Yorkshire’s two main hospitals could be slashed by £39m after plans for a major energy upgrade were approved.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust plans to build two combined heat and power (CHP) plants at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital as part of a £13.7m energy scheme.

New LED lighting would also be introduced at both hospitals, with electrical systems overhauled and upgraded to improve efficiency.

Duncan Taylor, director of estates, facilities and development, told a meeting of the trust board this month the scheme had the potential to save £39m in energy costs over 25 years.

Mr Taylor said the current energy facilities at Hull Royal had “exceeded the end of their useful life and are no longer fit for purpose.”

He said: “We have been looking at a number of ways of saving significant energy within the organisation over the last couple of years.

“Energy costs are only going to get higher and this will effectively halve our energy costs. Reducing our carbon makes a significant reduction in the target for CO2 emissions so this seems like a win-win.”

As well as complying with carbon reduction targets set for 2020 and reaping major carbon energy and financial savings, the work will also reduce backlog maintenance, currently standing at £64m.

The trust board has approved an outline business case for the major programme of works and it will now be passed to NHS Improvement for consideration.

If approved, a loan application for £13.7m will then be submitted to NHS Improvement to fund the work.