Grants from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, National Energy Efficiency Fund and Great British Energy Local Power Plan will fund a new energy centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and energy conservation measures such as solar panels, upgrades of roof and pipework insulation, and low-energy fan systems.

Inese Robotham, assistant chief executive and chair of the trust's Climate Change Group, said: ‘This major investment in renewable energy generation creates fantastic opportunities for our trust.

‘The funding will deliver significant reductions in our energy costs and savings can then be redirected into frontline care.

‘When the work is complete, the investment could save an estimated £1m a year in energy costs and will reduce emissions by over 3,000 tonnes of carbon each year.

‘This investment supports our Green Plan and national NHS ambitions of reaching net zero by 2040.'

Other cost and energy saving measures at the trust include LED lighting, increasing the number of electric vehicle points, working with partners on greener travel options and recycling.