CASE STUDY · PUBLIC SECTOR / NHS / BLUE LIGHT
Tredegar Ambulance Station
Decarbonisation of an active 24/7 emergency service hub for the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust: failing gas boilers replaced with Air Source Heat Pump, Solar PV and battery storage, delivered with zero operational downtime.
CLIENT
Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust
PROJECT TYPE
ASHP, Solar PV and battery storage replacing failing gas boilers
FORM OF CONTRACT
Turnkey design-and-install, single-site direct award
VALUE
£160,000 — delivered to budget, no overruns
SCHEME SIZE
1 site — Tredegar Ambulance Station, NP22 4NP
TIMELINE
January – April 2025 (3-month delivery)
Project highlights
Flagship for sustainable emergency infrastructure in Wales
c.50% carbon emissions reduction
£160k delivered to budget with no overruns
Zero accidents or incidents
100% operational availability of ambulance egress/access throughout the 3-month delivery
Outcomes and KPIs achieved
Project completed on time within £160,000 budget
Zero accidents or incidents
100% operational uptime maintained throughout
G99/DNO and MCS certification achieved on first attempt
c.50% carbon reduction achieved post-commissioning
100% positive feedback in the post-installation survey from the station manager and crew
Challenges, solutions and lessons learned
Challenge
24/7 active emergency operation.
Solution
Phased delivery with a temporary heating skid and a “Blue-Light Protocol” to ensure zero downtime.
Challenge
Roof structural integrity and waterproofing.
Solution
Bespoke Nicholson non-ballasted mounting system, following the pre-installation structural survey.
Compliance and certifications
Overview
CEN was commissioned to design, supply and install a Solar PV, battery storage and Air Source Heat Pump system at Tredegar Ambulance Station, replacing a failing gas-fired plant. The site is an active 24/7/365 emergency hub for the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, demanding zero interruption to power, heating, vehicle readiness or staff welfare.
CEN delivered a £160,000 turnkey solution between January and March 2025, with the system formally commissioned and handed over in April 2025. The integrated ASHP–Solar PV–battery design provides a c.50% reduction in carbon emissions and gives the Trust long-term protection against rising energy costs, freeing budget for frontline patient care.
Measures and technologies
- Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) — communal heating system, 45°C design flow temperature
- Solar PV — roof-mounted, sized to offset ASHP electrical demand
- Battery Energy Storage System (EESS) — 20kW
- Gas boiler decommissioning and pipework upgrade
- Heat emitter replacement and increased insulation
- DNO G99 application and approval
- SolarEdge fireman’s gateway (full system shutdown for emergency safety)
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