Clean Energy Investment Boosts National Security, But Expert Warns Scale Must Match Demand 

The UK Government’s recent pledge to invest £74 million in clean energy upgrades for hospitals, military bases and prisons has been welcomed as a positive move toward greater national resilience, particularly in the face of growing geopolitical threats. But national chartered surveyor Bruton Knowles is warning that while the move reduces reliance on the national grid, the scale of investment must be significantly ramped up to ensure critical buildings are fully self-sufficient. 

Sam Dobney, Partner at Bruton Knowles with specialisms in renewable energy and complex compulsory purchase work which helps deliver such projects, cautions that while the investment is a strong signal of intent, it falls short of what is required to fully futureproof the UK’s critical infrastructure. 

“It’s a welcome announcement, particularly as it targets energy self-sufficiency in some of our most important public buildings such as military bases and hospitals,” said Sam. “Getting key public buildings off the national grid is as much about strategic resilience as it is about cutting carbon. In a pressurised or cyberattack scenario, the grid is one of the most vulnerable parts of our infrastructure. Sites that can generate and store their own power stand a far better chance of continuing to operate under pressure. 

“But we have to acknowledge that £74 million won’t go far if we’re serious about building true resilience across the country.” 

The funding, announced in February, will help over 190 NHS sites, eight military installations and one prison install solar panels, battery technology, and more efficient heating and lighting systems. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero claims the upgrades will collectively save the NHS alone nearly £30 million a year on energy bills, freeing up funds for vital frontline services. 

The upgrades will be delivered in part through Great British Energy (GBE), the UK’s publicly owned energy company, which is contributing £9 million to the project. GBE’s involvement follows its £255 million investment in solar for hospitals, schools and military bases last year. 

Sam praises the GBE partnership, noting its importance in helping underfunded organisations take meaningful steps toward energy independence. “Without this financial support, many of these projects simply wouldn’t happen,” he said. “Individual NHS trusts and military sites often lack the capital to make these upgrades on their own.” 

He also pointed to policy changes that will accelerate progress, including reforms to the Development Consent Order (DCO) process that now allow smaller solar installations to bypass lengthy approval procedures. These reforms are expected to speed up deployment of renewable energy on public and private land. 

Among the sites set to benefit from the upgrades are Lincoln County Hospital, which will receive over £1.2 million to install solar panels, and HMP Channings Wood in Devon, which will see almost £750,000 spent on panels and plumbing works to reduce heat loss. RAF stations including Lossiemouth, Waddington and Marham are also receiving upgrades aimed at cutting costs and improving energy management. 

While the targeted sites will see tangible benefits, Sam believes a more ambitious, nationwide programme is essential. 

“My hope is that this is just ‘Phase One’ of a broader plan and that future rounds of funding to match the scale of need are undertaken.” 

Bruton Knowles, one of the UK’s most well-known chartered surveyor firms, brings extensive expertise to the Utilities & Infrastructure sector. With its National Teams – Valuation, Commercial, Utilities & Infrastructure – supported by Building Consultancy, Land and Development, and Rural Service Teams, Bruton Knowles offers a seamless, high standard approach to delivering complex client projects.