Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre - Solar PV Installation
Framework: SCAPE Regional Construction Framework
Client: Nottingham City Council
Completed: March 2024
Sector: Leisure & Sport
Project value: £340,151.30
“The completion of phase 3 solar PV installation at Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre is a testament to Nottingham City Council’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality. As one of the council’s highest energy-consuming sites, converting the facility to run on clean, renewable energy demonstrates our proactive approach to reducing emissions, cutting costs and improving energy efficiency.”
Cllr Sam Lux,
Nottingham City Council Executive Member for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture
In a move toward sustainability, the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre has been transformed into a shining example of renewable energy innovation for Nottingham City Council. Recognised as one of the city’s highest energy-consuming facilities, it was clear that a change was necessary.
By harnessing the power of the sun, the council embarked on an ambitious project that not only enhances energy efficiency but also aligns with its vision of achieving carbon neutrality by 2028.
Delivered by Lindum Group using the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework, this project has resulted in a remarkable 300 kWp rooftop solar PV array that generates 254,000 kWh of clean electricity annually.
The Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre showcases environmental benefits, cost savings, and its potential to inspire similar initiatives across Nottingham’s public assets.
Nottingham City Council's climate action plan identifies leisure facilities as major consumers of energy. Harvey Hadden is one of them, a community sports hub in Bilborough that includes a swimming pool, gym, and athletics stadium. This leisure centre also hosts the Notts Athletics Club as well as both athletics clubs from Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham.
The centre has been using a significant amount of grid electricity and gas, exposing the council to rising energy costs and contributing to high carbon emissions. In response, Nottingham City Council sought a turnkey renewable-energy solution that would:
- Significantly reduce the centre’s carbon footprint and energy costs.
- Comply with Salix funding guidelines and be implemented before March 31, 2024.
- Integrate with existing metering systems and enable real-time performance monitoring.
- Operate safely on multiple flat roofs without disrupting daily public activities.
- Future-proof the building for potential battery storage or additional photovoltaic (PV) capacity. The end users include local residents, sports clubs, and schools that rely on the facility year-round, making it essential to maintain public access throughout the project.
The council's original contractor withdrew, leaving a narrow window to secure funding. Through the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework, Lindum quickly mobilised and completed surveys, design, planning, and procurement within weeks.
Working at height on an occupied building requires stringent health and safety measures. Roof areas were cordoned off, the Mansafe system was extended, and a live tracking permit to work system was enforced.
The complex roof geometry necessitated detailed structural checks to optimise the panel layout while ensuring proper wind loading and drainage performance. All deliveries and lifting operations were scheduled outside of peak visitor hours to minimise disruption to swimmers, athletes, and staff.
Compliance with ENA G99 grid connection regulations and BS EN 62305 lightning protection standards needed to be demonstrated before the system could be energised.
Despite challenging winter weather and tight timelines, the team successfully completed the project on time and without any reportable incidents.
The solar installation is expected to generate 254 MWh of renewable electricity annually, which will offset approximately 53 tCO₂e and meet 79% of the centre’s daytime energy needs. Any excess electricity produced will be redirected for pool water pre-heating, further reducing gas consumption.
Lifetime savings from this project are estimated to reach up to £4 million, enhancing Nottingham City Council's resilience against fluctuating energy markets. The implementation of real-time, cloud-based monitoring allows the facilities team to track both performance and carbon savings, facilitating transparent reporting in line with the council’s net-zero targets.
The project was completed on budget, met the Salix deadline, and had no unplanned closures, demonstrating that significant decarbonisation can be successfully achieved in an active public leisure facility. Harvey Hadden has now become a flagship case study for low-carbon retrofitting in the wider East Midlands leisure estate.
Why SCAPE?
Nottingham City Council quickly appointed a reliable local contractor within days by using the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework. This approach allowed them to secure negotiated rates from the framework while ensuring they remained eligible for funding.
Using any SCAPE framework involves independent performance metrics and social value targets, which provided the council with confidence that they were achieving the best possible value.
SCAPE's collaborative governance structure accelerated design approval, risk management, and change control, ensuring the project met its fixed March 31st deadline without compromising quality.
“This project was very time sensitive. However, with good collaboration and planning with Lindum, the project came in on budget and in the time allotted.”
Derrick Denton,
Director of UK Alternative Energy Limited
254,000 kWh
renewable electricity generated annually
£241,665.06
Local spend 20 miles
1
Local SME engaged 4 miles from site
79 %
On-site consumption: remainder displaces gas for pool heating
£4 millon
Projected energy-cost saving over 30 years
In collaboration with:
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