Cotgrave Leisure Centre celebrates a year on from their decarbonisation installation with significant carbon savings
One year after the completion of a landmark decarbonisation and refurbishment project at Cotgrave Leisure Centre in Nottinghamshire, impressive environmental savings demonstrate the impact of investing in a sustainable infrastructure within a leisure facility.
Acting as Principal Contractor, Leisure Energy worked in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council, Salix, and Sport England, to deliver the £4.5 million project which has transformed the leisure centre into a low-carbon facility whilst maintaining high-quality services for the local community.
The project has eliminated the site’s annual gas use by replacing ageing gas boilers with state-of-the-art twin-pack CO₂ air source heat pump system housed within a packaged plant room; the Net Zero Pod® (NZP 500). The NZP is supported by 212 rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, further reducing the centre’s reliance on fossil fuels.
After just one year of operation, the results have exceeded expectations:
- 100% reduction in annual gas consumption
- Annual carbon emissions reduced by 81.8%
- 308,298 kg CO₂e saved annually
- Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (sCOP) exceeding 4 which is an average measure of the heating system’s efficiency across the entire year, and equates to 4+ units of heat produced per 1 unit of electricity consumed.
Annual carbon emissions have fallen from 376,870 kg CO₂e in 2023 to 68,572 kg CO₂e in 2025, demonstrating the substantial environmental benefits of modern heat pump technology combined with on-site renewable energy generation.
The whole project was made possible through funding comprising £1.2 million from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS 3c), £170,000 from the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund, and £3.1 million from Rushcliffe Borough Council.
In addition to the decarbonisation works, Leisure Energy was appointed as project manager to modernise leisure spaces such as a new reception and changing places room, studios and the wet changing village within the facility, creating an improved experience for visitors and delivering long-term operational efficiencies.
“This project demonstrates how leisure centres can successfully transition away from fossil fuels while maintaining excellent performance and significantly reducing carbon emissions,” said Mike Worsnop, Acting Managing Director for Leisure Energy. “The first year’s results highlight what can be achieved through innovative engineering, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to sustainability.”
Cotgrave Leisure Centre’s success offers a clear model for local authorities and public sector organisations looking to cut carbon emissions, reduce energy costs, and support the UK’s transition to net zero.
