Powering a Greener Future: DMA Group’s Impact on Energy Efficiency in Public Sector Buildings
Sustainability in Action
At DMA Group, sustainability is more than a buzzword, it’s embedded in how we work, the solutions we offer, and the outcomes we deliver. As a trusted partner to community hospitals, leisure centres, and housing associations, we’ve been leading the charge in helping organisations transition to a low-carbon future.
Over the past few years, our team has delivered a suite of energy-saving projects that combine the best in solar power generation, battery storage, and advanced energy reduction strategies. The results speak for themselves: measurable reductions in energy consumption, lower grid dependency, substantial cost savings, and significant cuts in carbon emissions.
Here’s how we’re making a difference in energy efficiency in public sector buildings.
Project-by-Project Breakdown
Improving Energy Efficiency for Independent Living: Five Villages
Five Villages Home Association in Icklesham, East Sussex, is dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and independent living for people aged 60 and over. With several self-contained flats and communal areas designed to foster social interaction, the development balances comfort, cost-efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
DMA Group installed a solar PV system in March 2024, and in October, a battery system was added to enhance energy independence and reduce reliance on grid electricity.
Solar Energy Generated | 52.7 MWh |
Energy Exported to Grid | 18.8 MWh |
Battery Storage | Supplied 6.5 MWh that would have otherwise gone unused |
Carbon Saved | 38.2 tCO₂e (equivalent to planting 631 trees) |
Estimated Financial Savings (Mar 2024-2025) | £6,500 |
Export Earnings | £2,800 |
While the full benefit of the batteries are seen from March 2025 onwards, this project already highlights the economic and environmental benefits of combining solar generation with energy storage.
Reducing Energy Efficiency Costs in Leisure Facilities: Rye Leisure Centre
Leisure centres are traditionally high energy users due to their heating, ventilation, and pool systems. In December 2024, we installed solar PV at Rye Leisure Centre to offset its dependence on grid electricity and reduce operational costs and carbon emissions.
Solar Energy Generated | 33.2 MWh |
Grid Dependance | Reduced to 64% |
Carbon Saved | 24.1 tCO₂e (equal to 398 trees planted) |
Savings (Dec 2024 - Apr 2025) | £8,300 compared to the same period in 2023 |
Export Earnings | £1,600 |
A Model for Energy Efficiency in Community Spaces: Hub on Rye Hill
The Hub on Rye Hill is a community wellbeing centre offering a variety of services and activities to support the local community. Run by local people for local people, it aims to provide a central hub for social, mental, and physical wellbeing support. Commissioned just before Christmas 2024, the solar PV system at the Hub demonstrates the rapid impact of clean energy adoption:
Solar Energy Generated | 75.5 MWh |
Grid Dependance | Now 68% |
Carbon Saved | 54.7 tCO₂e (equivalent to 905 trees planted) |
Financial Savings To Date | £18,000 |
Export Earnings | £3,480 |
This initiative is a benchmark for achieving energy efficiency in multi-use public sector buildings that serve diverse community needs, and the figures demonstrate the power of integrating clean energy into community infrastructure, and how quickly those investments begin to pay back.
Leading the Way in Healthcare Sustainability: Rye & Winchelsea Memorial Hospital
Rye & Winchelsea District Memorial Hospital is one of our proudest achievements in sustainable transformation. Through comprehensive upgrades, spanning from heating system improvements to renewable installations, it now operates with a dramatically smaller carbon footprint.
Heating Plant & Energy Reduction Project
Project Completion | March 2023 |
Energy Use Reduction (Mar 2023–25) | 474.5 MWh |
Carbon Savings | 109,714.46 tCO₂e (the equivalent of planting 6,692 trees) |
Solar & Battery Installations
Solar PV Installed | January 2022 |
Energy Generated | 240.4 MWh |
Energy Exported | 57.8 MWh |
Battery System (Oct 2024) | 71.5 MWh supplied using excess solar and off-peak tariffs |
Carbon Savings | 174.2 tCO₂e (approx. 2,900 trees planted) |
Export Earnings | £7,000 |
Rye Hospital is now seen as a blueprint for what is possible when energy efficiency and renewables are embedded into the long-term strategy of health infrastructure. With fewer emissions and lower bills, the hospital is not only operating more sustainably, but also more cost-effectively too.
Read the full case study here.
The Combined Impact: Real Savings, Real Change
Let’s take a step back and look at the cumulative results of these projects.
Total Solar Energy Generated | 401.8 MWh |
Total Solar Energy Exported to Grid | 117.0 MWh |
Total Carbon Savings | 109,805.86 tCO₂e |
What Do These Numbers Really Mean?
To put our carbon savings into perspective:
- Equivalent to Powering: 137,257 UK homes for a year
- Equivalent to Removing: Annual emissions from 18,301 UK households
- Equivalent to Avoiding: 609 million km of petrol car travel, roughly 15,237 laps of the planet
DMA Group’s efforts aren’t theoretical, they’re tangible. We’re helping real organisations make real change.
The Role of Battery Storage
Battery storage is a game-changer in maximising the benefits of solar energy. Instead of exporting excess solar back to the grid at low tariffs, energy can be stored and used later, especially when grid energy is at its most expensive or carbon-intensive.
Our recent battery installations at Five Villages and Rye Hospital show just how much more efficient energy systems can become with this addition. As these batteries come fully online, customers will see an even sharper reduction in their energy bills and grid reliance.
Why It Matters – Now More Than Ever
Rising energy prices, environmental commitments, and the urgency of climate action are forcing organisations to rethink how they consume and generate energy. At DMA Group, we believe the solution is not one-size-fits-all, but it is actionable, measurable, and already underway.
By partnering with us, customers don’t just receive technical expertise, they gain a strategic ally committed to long-term impact. Our projects are designed around real needs, real buildings, and real opportunities for improvement.
”I'm incredibly proud of the impact we're making through our energy services. These results aren’t just numbers, they represent real-world change for our customers, their communities, and the environment. We’re proving that energy efficiency is not only achievable but also transformative. I encourage any organisation thinking about making the switch to take that first step, because the benefits are immediate and lasting.
Kevin McguaneDMA Group's Energy Services Director
Ready to Begin Your Energy Journey?
Whether you’re managing a healthcare facility, school, leisure centre, or multi-use site, the message is clear: energy savings are not only possible, they’re profitable and planet-friendly.
Want to know how we can help make your building work better? Get in touch today.
