Greenwich Leisure Limited in partnership with Cumberland Council wanted to reduce energy costs at Workington Leisure Centre whilst supporting its environmental commitments. PSA provided comprehensive electrical design services for a 160kW solar panel system that now supplies around 20% of the centre’s annual electricity demand. The project was funded through Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund and completed within a tight two-month programme.
CLIENT: Cumberland Council
LOCATION: Workington, Cumbria
SERVICES: Electrical Design & Sustainability Consultancy
OF PANELS: 382
GENERATION: 160 kW
SITE SUPPLY FROM SOLAR: 20%
CLIENT OBJECTIVES
Cumberland Council faced the challenge of rising energy costs at Workington Leisure Centre, a facility that requires significant electricity to operate two swimming pools, heating and ventilation systems, and general lighting. The council needed a solution that would reduce operational expenses whilst aligning with their Carbon and Energy Management Plan and commitment to tackling the climate emergency. With funding available through the Sport England Grant, they saw an opportunity to install renewable energy infrastructure that would deliver long-term financial benefits. The project needed to be completed efficiently without disrupting the centre’s daily operations or affecting the customer experience. The installation also needed to integrate seamlessly with the existing building services to ensure reliable performance and minimal maintenance requirements.
OUR SOLUTION
PSA provided the electrical design responsibilities up to RIBA Stage 4 alongside Clerk of Works duties throughout the project up to RIBA Stage 6. Our team developed a comprehensive design for the 160kW solar panel system, ensuring optimal positioning and integration with the leisure centre’s existing electrical infrastructure. We worked closely with Day Cummins Ltd and Love Solar to coordinate the technical specifications and installation requirements. The design process involved detailed electrical load calculations to maximise the system’s efficiency and ensure it could reliably supply approximately 20% of the centre’s total electricity demand. Our Clerk of Works services provided on-site supervision and quality assurance throughout the installation phase, ensuring all work met the required standards and compliance regulations.
Key Design Elements:
- 160kW solar panel system design and specification
- Electrical integration with existing building services
- Load calculation and system optimisation
- Technical coordination with installation team
- Quality assurance and compliance monitoring
- On-site supervision and progress management
THE OUTCOME
The solar panel installation was completed successfully within the planned two-month timeframe, delivering a system that now provides 20% of Workington Leisure Centre’s electricity needs. The project has achieved significant operational cost savings that will be reinvested into facility improvements for customers. The Project was made possible through a successful Sport England Grant Funding application.
Images Courtesy of: Love Solar, Penrith
