Appleby Leisure Centre installs 190 solar panels and heat pumps as part of £2 million decarbonisation project

Appleby Leisure Centre in Cumbria has installed 190 solar panels on its roof and replaced gas boilers with air source heat pumps, cutting the building's carbon footprint. The work is part of a £2 million project funded by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Sport England, and Westmorland and Furness Council. The council aims to reach net zero by 2037. Triple glazing was added last autumn, and plant room pipes have been insulated to reduce heat loss. The estimated annual carbon savings are 343.2 tCO2e. The project required a short closure to remove the old air handling unit and prepare for the heat pump connection. A further closure will be needed later to finish connecting the heat pump, pending confirmation from electricity suppliers. The council is matching at least 12% of the costs from its capital maintenance budget. Officials say the upgrades will lower long term energy costs and keep the leisure centre affordable to run while supporting the region's net zero target.