Plans to install more than 600 solar panels on the roof of Riverside Leisure Centre has received planning permission.
By producing renewable energy on site, the project is set to reduce the electricity bills of the building by 33 percent and cut 75 tonnes of carbon emissions a year. These financial and carbon savings will help secure the future of this popular leisure centre, as well as supporting the council’s efforts to reach net zero.
The solar panels will be installed in the new year, with the total cost of the project coming to £895,000. Funding of £520,000 has been secured from the government and Sport England’s £60m Swimming Pool Support Fund, while the remaining £375,000 is being paid for by the city council.
The venue, which has been run by Places Leisure on behalf of the council since 2013, bounced back strongly after it was forced to close during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year membership numbers surpassed pre-pandemic levels and 350,000 visits were recorded.
At the time funding was secured, Councillor Emma Hampton, cabinet member for climate change, said:
“I’m delighted that we have been able to secure funding to install such a large solar array at Riverside Leisure Centre, future proofing the venue by reducing emissions and ensuring that we can continue to provide these much-loved community facilities for years to come.
“By placing solar panels on the roof and in the car park, we’re putting that empty space to good use – something we should aim to do more and more across the city as we work towards a net zero Norwich by 2045.”
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