Healthcare’s energy transition needs creative financing

(This article was first published by Medical Device Network on 1st October 2025 and is available in English only.)

Andrey Maramzine, chief sustainability officer at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions reflects on how European healthcare systems can strategically approach green infrastructure financing.

Europe’s healthcare sector faces a dual challenge: delivering high-quality care while managing rising energy costs and reducing carbon emissions. Hospitals and clinics are energy-intensive operations – spending between €2,200 and €3,900 per bed annually on energy. That equates to roughly 2.1–10% of operating expenses, depending on the facility, and represents a significant strain on already tight budgets.

This energy demand not only drives up costs but also contributes to the sector’s considerable carbon footprint. According to the European Commission (EC), health and social work activities accounted for roughly 1.5% of the EU’s final energy consumption in 2023.

For healthcare providers operating within decentralised systems – where levels of investment and infrastructure vary – the scale of transformation needed can feel overwhelming. Ambitious projects, such as the NHS’s largest heat pump installation to date – expected to save 500 tonnes of CO₂ in its first year alone – are powerful examples but often remain out of reach for these more fragmented systems.

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