Locations of clean heating trial revealed

Leeds, Plymouth, Bristol, Stockport, Sheffield and London will receive a share of £5.8 million of funding to develop England’s first-ever heat network zones.

The zones will recycle excess heat generated by data centres or factories in order to heat other buildings nearby. 

The announcement comes following a pilot programme which developed a methodology for identifying where heat networks are likely to provide the lowest cost, low carbon heat to buildings.

The pilot involved 28 local authorities along with technical and modelling consultants to test the methodology in different areas, giving an indication of how zone boundaries should be defined and what data is required to determine them. 

Data will identify the best spots and help to plan and build the technology at scale. They require suitable buildings, such as hotels and large offices, to connect when it is cost-effective for them to do so.

The sort of buildings considered most suitable for connecting to a network are those that are already communally heated, and large non-domestic buildings such as hospitals, universities, hotels, supermarkets, and office blocks.

Among the six new schemes (London will have two) the Old Oak and Park Royal Development in London will use excess heat from data centres, while in Leeds the system will take heat from a nearby glass factory to warm connected buildings.

Developing heat networks across the country has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs through delivering a low-carbon heating transformation.

CEO of the Association for Decentralised Energy Caroline Bragg said: ‘Heat network zones are crucial for a just transition for our communities – putting the UK on the lowest cost pathway to decarbonising our heat, attracting more than £3 of private investment for every £1 of public funding given and creating tens of thousands of local jobs.

‘As we begin to deliver zoning at scale, it is crucial that the government and industry continue to work together to ensure heat networks can truly unleash their potential.’

Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: ‘Heat network zones will play an important part in our mission to deliver clean power for the country, helping us take back control of our energy security.

‘As well as energy independence, they will support millions of businesses and building owners for years to come, with low-cost, low carbon heating – driving down energy bills.

‘Tens of thousands of green jobs will be created across the country, and that’s why we’re investing in developing these fantastic and innovative projects – developing the first zones in cities and towns across England.’