The £100m investment from the Government and Great British Energy will see 200 hospitals fitted with energy saving technology, with the first solar panels installed by the end of summer 2025.

Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said: ‘Spiralling energy costs have landed NHS trusts with huge bills at a time when they can least afford it. The measures announced today are good for NHS trusts, good for the environment and good for taxpayers.'

The NHS is the single biggest public sector energy user, with an estimated annual energy bill of £1.4bn that has more than doubled since 2019.

It is estimated the average NHS site could save up to £45,000 per year on their annual energy bill with savings being reinvested as part of the Government's Plan for Change to fix public services.

The investment is part of a £200m package for hospitals and schools.