The brand-new Lichfield Leisure Centre will open with solar power at its core, after nearly 400 panels were installed through a partnership with Staffordshire Community Energy (SCE).
The rooftop system is expected to generate around 149,000 kilowatt hours of clean electricity each year – with approximately 90% of the solar utilised on site and 10% sold to the grid to support a community fund.
By producing its own power on site, the centre is estimated to cut its carbon footprint by around 35 tonnes a year supporting the District’s drive to tackle the climate emergency – the same as removing more than 20 petrol cars from the road –and reduce its bills by around £6,500 annually.
Over the system’s lifetime, that could add up to more than £160,000 in savings.
Because the scheme is community-owned, the benefits go further. It is estimated that a community fund worth over £150,000 will be created to support local projects delivering social and environmental benefit to the community.
For Staffordshire Community Energy, this is another milestone in its mission to put local people at the heart of the energy transition.
Mike Kinghan MBE, local resident and founder of SCE,said:
“As a Community Benefit Society owned by its members, SCE has a powerful not-for profit community business model addressing climate change while also recycling financial surpluses back into local communities.
"Our aim has always been to keep the benefits of clean energy here in Staffordshire. Lichfield Leisure Centre shows what that means in practice: a brand-new leisure centre receiving power from the sun, lower bills from day one, and a community fund to support local projects. It’s proof of what’s possible when people come together to take control of their energy future.”
Lichfield District Council has led the development of the new leisure centre, making sure it will open as one of the district’s most sustainable public buildings, with community-owned solar at its heart.
Councillor Janice Silvester-Hall, Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Ecology & Climate Change, said:
“We’re delighted to be working with Staffordshire Community Energy to make Lichfield Leisure Centre one of the most sustainable leisure facilities in the district."This partnership shows the power of community energy; reducing our carbon footprint, lowering running costs, and investing savings back into local projects.
"It’s a brilliant example of how councils and communities can work together to take positive action with the changing climate while creating healthier, more resilient places for everyone.”
The project is part of SCE’s growing programme of community-owned solar across Staffordshire, which is keen to bring clean energy and community benefit funds to schools, hospitals, and commercial and public buildings across the county.
The project was supported by impact investment partner, We Have The Power, who provided bridging finance to enable delivery ahead of SCE’s forthcoming community share offer due to launch in early 2026, which will enable local people to share in the ownership of the installation.
Residents can now register to be notified about the forthcoming share offer. Sign up at staffscommunityenergy.org.uk/newsletter for further information.