TRUSTPOLITICS
Written Question·Department of Health and Social Care·UIN 66704

Hospitals: Power Failures

Tabled: 10 July 2025
Answered: 16 July 2025

Question

Nick Timothy

Conservative — West Suffolk

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will bring forward plans for hybrid backup power systems combining (a) diesel generators, (b) battery storage and (c) hydrogen fuel cells in NHS hospitals.

Answer

Karin Smyth

National Health Service trusts are responsible for ensuring adequate back-up power systems in line with national guidelines. This includes conducting risk assessments to determine which systems meet their specific needs. Health Technical Memorandum 06-01 provides technical guidance on the supply and distribution of electrical services.

We continue to support the NHS to increase its energy resilience, including by diversifying its power sources. Some trusts have already implemented Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and we are funding a number of the solar projects via our £100 million collaboration with Great British Energy, which also includes BESS.