LONDON (Enmaeya News) — The UK government has announced a £180 million investment in solar panels for 200 schools and 200 hospitals, marking the first major project by the newly launched state-owned energy company, Great British Energy. The initiative aims to help public institutions lower their energy bills and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to the country’s long-term net-zero goals.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized that the project will allow schools and hospitals to reinvest savings into frontline services instead of losing funds to high energy costs. The move has been welcomed by unions and NHS providers, who said the funding could help alleviate the significant financial pressure from soaring energy bills.

While critics, including Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie, argue that the government’s climate plans could hurt the economy and jeopardize energy security, experts point out that expanding renewable energy sources like solar can reduce reliance on imports, especially from politically unstable regions. Energy analyst Jess Ralston stressed that solar energy boosts the UK’s energy independence and security.

Though the project currently targets a small fraction of the nation’s schools, advocates like Let's Go Zero say it’s an important step in the right direction. The first installations are expected by the end of the summer, with priority given to areas of greatest need.