The aquatics centre was designed to be the greenest 50m swimming pool in the country and incorporates a number of green energy initiatives including; rain water harvesting for re-use in the building and super insulated external fabric to enhance further efficiency savings.

At the heart of the centre’s green credentials is the installation of an ENER-G 185kWe combined heat and power (CHP) unit. The system has been operational since May 2008 and was designed, built, operated and financed by ENER-G on a Discount Energy Purchase (DEP) scheme over 10 years.

Through opting for a Discount Energy Purchase (DEP) contract, the aquatics centre was able to realise an instant payback. Under this agreement, ENER-G finance, install and operate the CHP system at no capital cost to the client, and then sell the energy generated to the client at a discount, offering immediate savings.

From installing the ENER-G CHP unit alone the aquatics centre has achieved carbon savings to date of 539 tonnes of CO2, which is equivalent to planting 82,923 trees.