Hundreds of schools and hospitals across the UK are set to receive £180million for solar panels from the government's new state-owned energy company.
The first major investment from Great British Energy was announced this morning as part of government efforts to reduce the country's emissions.
The investment could see millions invested back into frontline services, targeting deprived areas, with lifetime savings for schools and the NHS of up to £400million over around 30 years.
Estimates suggest that on average, a typical school could save up to £25,000 per year, whilst the average NHS site could save up to £45,000 per year on their annual energy bill if they had solar panels with complementary technologies installed such as batteries.
And more than £9.3million of funding for the devolved governments will also be used for renewable energy schemes either onto public sector buildings or to support new community or local renewables schemes.
This includes £4.85million for Scotland.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "Right now, money that should be spent on your children’s education or your family’s healthcare is instead being wasted on sky-high energy bills
Great British Energy’s first major project will be to help our vital public institutions save hundreds of millions on bills to reinvest on the frontline. Great British Energy will provide power for pupils and patients.
Parents at the school gate and patients in hospitals will experience the difference Great British Energy can make. This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, with lower bills and energy security for our country."
Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier said: "This is the first step in Great British Energy’s work with local communities to help them generate their own energy.
By partnering with the public sector as we scale up the company, this will help us make an immediate impact as we work to roll out clean, homegrown energy projects, crowd in investment and create job opportunities across the country.
We will work closely with communities to learn from the scheme so we can scale up energy projects across the country."
Andrew Bowie, shadow energy secretary, said the government's net zero plans would make the country "poorer".