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The benefits of this project
Benefits for Your Patients
- Decreased fossil fuel use means improved air quality for all
Benefits for Your Practice
- Potential for financial savings depending on provider used
- Encourages an ethical practice culture
Benefits for The Planet
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Opportunity for improvement
- Different energy sources can be used to generate electricity. Some release more greenhouse gas emissions than others.
- The mix of fuels used by different energy suppliers vary. Energy providers who use more wind, hydroelectric, solar and nuclear have lower emissions than those using coal (phased out in UK electricity generation in 2024), gas and biomass.
- The UK has reduced the amount of coal used to generate electricity, meaning the carbon intensity per kWh has fallen. In 2024, the carbon intensity of electricity of the UK was 207 grams of CO2 per kWh, compared to 510 grams of CO2 per kWh in 2008.
- This project aims to help GP practices optimise their energy provider to have the best supplier for them financially and for the planet (see disclaimers).
- You might like to create a SMART goal for this project e.g. review current energy provider’s carbon emissions per kWh for electricity and, if above national average (~200g CO2e/kWh), switch to alternative provider within the next 12 months.
How to carry out this project
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Identify practice's current energy provider
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Look at the provider’s carbon emissions per kWh for electricity (CO2 column)
Resource: Fuel Mix of UK Domestic Electricity Suppliers
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Find the best provider for the practice and the environment
If above the national average (about 200g CO2e/kWh), use a national resource to identify a preferred alternative (e.g. https://bigcleanswitch.org/ https://www.greenenergyswitch.co.uk/business-energy/ https://www.greenelectricity.org/suppliers-fuel-mix/) or direct to 100% renewable electricity company websites such as https://octopus.energy/green/ or https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/our-green-energy/green-electricity
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Check contracts
Review current tariff and identify length of current contract (including any penalties for leaving early) either by contacting current provider or via information on energy bills
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Switch
Arrange switch to new provider when contracts allow
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Spread the word
Inform patients and staff and the old and new energy providers why you are switching to encourage positive change
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Study
Review the project outcome, summarise learning, share with practice team + decide if any changes are needed to improve things. Decide how often to review the practice energy provider e.g. annually and use the project monitoring form to keep track.
Top tip
Green energy can be a money saver as well as better for the planet
How to scale this project up or down
| Please note - Use of this project requires NetworkPLUS membership. If you would like to share this project with others, please invite them to purchase their own membership—access must not be shared with non-members. |
Larger organisations such as PCNs, ICBs and Health Boards all have the opportunity for negotiating better tariffs and rates through combined purchasing power.
Have you completed this QIP?
Tell us a little about your project in order to generate a certificate showing the probable benefits. This project may help with CQC evidence submission (see disclaimers).
More project guides
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Extreme Cold Weather Alert QIP
Carbon saving potential: Solid
<10 hours
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Bath & Shower Emollient Deprescribing
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Reducing Emissions Associated with Banking
Carbon saving potential: Very high
20-40 hours
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Switching Energy Provider
Carbon saving potential: Very high
<10 hours