Watford Borough Council, in partnership with Everyone Active and Leisure Energy, has successfully completed the installation of 655 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at Woodside Leisure Centre...
This milestone marks a significant step forward in the council’s commitment to achieving its net zero carbon emissions target by 2030. The project was made possible through a £403,900 grant from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund, designed to protect and sustain community sports facilities across the country. Leisure Energy played a key role in securing the funding and overseeing the installation process.
The newly installed solar panels are projected to deliver substantial environmental benefits, including:
- Saving approximately 50 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
- Reducing energy consumption at the leisure centre by 259.22 megawatt-hours.
These improvements will allow Everyone Active, the operator of Woodside Leisure Centre, to provide a more sustainable and efficient facility while continuing to support the health and wellbeing of the Watford community.
This achievement builds on the centre’s recent recognition as one of England’s top leisure facilities. It was awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating by Quest, the national quality scheme for leisure centres. The rigorous two-day evaluation assessed areas such as tackling inequalities and environmental management practices, making it one of only five facilities in England to earn this accolade.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “A huge thank you to Sport England for their generous support, which has enabled us to enhance the sustainability of our leisure facilities. Installing 655 solar panels at Woodside Leisure Centre will lower our energy bills, reduce our carbon footprint, and help us towards achieving our carbon-neutral target by 2030. This project reflects our commitment to providing affordable, high-quality facilities for residents while also promoting sustainability.”
Peggy Lee, Group Sustainability Manager for Everyone Active, added: “Having onsite renewable energy generation at Woodside Leisure Centre is a fantastic step forward in reducing the centre’s carbon footprint. We are proud to collaborate with the council to achieve its net zero goals, which align closely with our own sustainability strategy.”
Mike Worsnop, Strategic Director at Leisure Energy said: “Having worked with Watford Borough Council over the last two years providing energy surveys and supporting the application for the Swimming Pool Support Fund, we are pleased that the solar panel installation will be reducing both energy costs and the carbon footprint at the leisure centre and assist the council in achieving their net zero goals.”
The project complements ongoing energy efficiency initiatives across Watford, including improvements to the Watford Palace Theatre, Orbital Community Centre, Harebreaks Community Centre, Town Hall, and Watford Colosseum. These projects incorporate advanced technologies such as air source heat pumps, enhanced insulation, and solar panels, collectively contributing to significant carbon emission reductions.
Notably, the Town Hall’s refurbishment earned an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C, a rare accomplishment for a Grade II listed building. These upgrades, which include vacuum-glazing, roof and cavity wall insulation, and PV solar panels, are projected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 166 tonnes and gas bills by 40%.
Mayor Peter Taylor concluded: “These efforts are part of my manifesto promise to create a greener, more sustainable Watford. By investing in renewable energy and improving energy efficiency, we are building a healthier, more resilient community for everyone.”
