Award-winning solar project at K2 Crawley Leisure Centre receives national recognition

Award-winning leisure operator Everyone Active, in partnership with Crawley Borough Council and Leisure Energy, is celebrating national recognition after the successful installation of a landmark solar carport at K2 Crawley Leisure Centre.

The innovative renewable energy project has awarded as Highly Commended by the Energy Managers Association, recognising its excellence in sustainable design, delivery and long-term impact.

The installation directly supports both Crawley Borough Council’s and Everyone Active’s ambitions to reduce reliance on the national grid, cut utility costs, and champion low-carbon solutions.

K2 Crawley is one of the borough’s highest energy users, welcoming more than 1.5 million visits each year across its 17,000 m² (183,000 sq ft) facility, which includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, learner and leisure pools, a 12m climbing wall, a 150+ station gym, squash courts, sports halls, all-weather football pitches and accessible Changing Places toilets.

The solar carport scheme was made possible thanks to a £707,000 grant from the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund Phase II, supplemented by a £250,000 investment from Crawley Borough Council.

Together, the funding enabled the delivery of six solar carport canopies covering 162 parking spaces, designed to maximise energy generation while maintaining safety, usability and accessibility for K2 Crawley customers.

Leisure Energy played a central role throughout the project, including undertaking the feasibility study and acting as Principal Contractor. RenEnergy was appointed as the specialist solar carport installer.

Construction was carefully planned to ensure minimal disruption, with 75 per cent of the car park kept open throughout the works and the bus route maintained. Screw pile foundations were used to preserve existing parking spaces and reduce ground impact.

The completed structure features 1002 solar panels, supported by 501 Solar Edge inverters and optimisers, allowing real-time performance monitoring, remote fault detection and optimised energy output.

The panels became operational on 20 May 2025, with both Crawley Borough Council and Everyone Active now able to track detailed electricity generation via the Solar Edge Monitoring System. Leisure Energy provides regular carbon-saving reports and will conduct a full performance review after the first year.

The Energy Managers Association award highlights the project’s role as a leading example of how leisure facilities can transition to clean energy while maintaining continuity of service for local communities.

Jon Hodgson, Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see this project recognised at a national level. The solar carport installation is a major step forward in making K2 Crawley more sustainable and cost-efficient, and it reflects the hard work and commitment of everyone involved.

“As a centre that serves more than a million visitors each year, it’s important that we lead by example, and this investment allows us to reduce our environmental impact while continuing to provide high-quality facilities for our community.”

Councillor Nick Hilton, Cabinet member for Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change at Crawley Borough Council, said: “We are proud to see K2 Crawley leading the way in sustainable innovation. This solar carport project demonstrates our commitment to reducing carbon emissions and investing in clean energy solutions that benefit both the environment and our community. By harnessing renewable energy, we’re not only cutting costs but also setting an example for how public facilities can embrace a greener future.”

Ashley Davison, Project Manager at Leisure Energy, said: “We were delighted to assist Crawley Borough Council and Everyone Active in reducing their carbon footprint at K2 Crawley with the provision of the solar panel car ports.  Installing car ports are an effective way of providing a renewable energy resource for the leisure facility whilst helping to provide a sustainable community building for the future.”

Everyone Active manages three leisure centres in Crawley in partnership with Crawley Borough Council, including Broadfield 3G Pitch and Pavilion, Bewbush Centre and K2 Crawley.

For more information on K2 Crawley please visit the website here: K2 Crawley | Gym, Swim, Fitness Classes & Climbing | Everyone Active