(Image: NYFRS)
North Yorkshire firefighters have revealed they have already saved more than £40,000 in electricity costs this year, helping free up vital funds as services face the growing challenge of tackling increasingly expensive wildfires.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) has made the savings following the installation of rooftop solar panels at stations in Thirsk, Selby and York.
The panels were funded by nearly £300,000 from the Mayoral Renewables Fund, part of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Solar controls
(Image: NYFRS)
John Sutton, from North Yorkshire Police and Fire and Rescue, said: "already seen savings of over £40,000 in electricity costs this year.
"This money can be reused across the fire and policing services, to employ more staff, buy more kit, and keep people safe."
In 2026 alone, firefighters in England and Wales have responded to 1,132 wildfires, with each incident costing up to £20,000 per hectare to tackle.
Last year’s massive Langdale/Fylingdales Moor fire cost North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue £2.6 million to contain.
John Sutton of North Yorkshire Police and Fire and Rescue, said the service has "already seen savings of over £40,000 in electricity costs this year"
(Image: NYFRS)
Mr Sutton explained that the new solar panels are making a significant difference to both costs and carbon emissions.
Speaking at York Fire Station, he said: "The panels will generate about 38 Megawatts of electricity per year at York Fire Station, which is enough to power the station for free during the day.
"A number of other sites are also effectively being taken off the grid during daytime hours."
York Fire Station has seen its consumption from the national grid fall by 60 per cent.
Fire jackets
(Image: NYFRS)
During May and June alone, the station’s rooftop panels generated nearly 12 megawatt-hours of electricity—enough to power almost 1,200 homes for a full day.
Mr Sutton said: "The project took around a year to complete.
"Most of the installation work took place over the winter, which meant the panels were ready to start generating electricity by spring and summer—it’s fantastic.
"The solar panels now contribute 10% of York Fire Station’s energy requirements."
Beyond cost savings, the environmental impact is also significant.
Wildfires release large amounts of carbon, contributing to climate change and increasing the likelihood of more frequent and intense fires.
In Wales, the Torfaen wildfire earlier this year produced the fourth-highest intensity of carbon emissions per square kilometre globally.
NYFRS estimates that the solar panels will help save 2,000 tonnes of carbon over the next 25 years.
Mr Sutton said the benefits extend beyond the fire service itself.
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He said: "Our fire stations are community assets, so it’s great to see renewable energy being generated on public buildings.
"It’s good for the crews, it’s good for the public purse, and it’s great for the community to see renewable energy being generated on these public buildings."
NYFRS says the savings will be reinvested into frontline services, helping to fund equipment, training, and staffing.