Norwich Plans 600+ Solar Panels for Leisure Centre

Norwich City Council is set to install over 600 solar panels at the Riverside Leisure Centre, a project aimed at reducing electricity bills by a third and cutting 75 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The initiative, which received £375,000 from the council and £520,000 from the government and Sport England, will also include the planting of new trees to enhance the site's eco-friendliness. Construction will begin on February 24, leading to a six-week closure of the car park, although blue-badge spaces will remain available. This project supports the council's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions and enhancing the long-term sustainability of the leisure center. The solar energy system is expected to start generating power by April, with the project completion anticipated by summer. Feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting strong support for the move towards renewable energy.