Bradford heat network to create ‘blueprint for the future’

£75m of private capital and public investment – including £20m  from the UK Government’s Green Heat Network Fund – will support the development of a new heat network in Bradford.

The intention of the scheme is to scale a city-wide heat network in the city,  creating a blueprint for a £1bn national rollout.

Andrew Wettern, CEO of 1Energy, who are developing the scheme said: ‘The Bradford Energy Network is a flagship project in the UK’s transition to low carbon heating. Crucially, it also provides a blueprint for national rollout, successfully demonstrating how to: deploy institutional investment alongside Government funding, deliver savings for customers in the transition, and decarbonise existing and new buildings across a city through an exemplar low carbon heat network.’

The heat pump-powered network will provide heat to the University of Bradford, Bradford College, and Bradford Courts, with 1Energy claiming that connecting to such a network is the most economical way to decarbonise a heating system, with total whole-life costs around 30% cheaper than were the buildings to be heated through their own air source heat pumps.

Heating accounts for 37% of Britain’s total carbon emissions, with cities and towns responsible for over 80% of this. 1Energy claim that the network will reduce these emissions by 75%, saving the three key partners 29,7809 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to taking over 21,360 cars off the road.

Using Bradford as a blueprint, 1Energy has ambitions to deploy £1bn within the next eight years into building new city-wide, low-carbon heat networks across the UK.

Andrew Wettern added: ‘The project is already delivering significant social value and wider benefits to the city – creating new jobs and skills, utilising the local supply-chain and creating a more favourable environment for inward investment into Bradford. Thanks to the support of our key partners, we are able to put Bradford right at the very forefront of decarbonised, healthier cities in the UK and to assist its regeneration and growth.’

Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said: ‘This represents a pivotal moment for the city and the UK. As an anchor customer of the Bradford Energy Network and strategic partner of UK City of Culture 2025, we are proud to have played a vital role in helping build a healthier, greener Bradford.

‘The network provides an opportunity to show the government how to build a brighter future for young people across the country, with other cities following in Bradford’s footsteps. It shows how we as a university, are enabling positive change, for people and planet.’

Chris Malish, Vice Principal of Bradford College, said: ‘Joining the Bradford Energy Network is another significant milestone in Bradford College’s sustainability strategy. After all the planned works are complete, a total annual direct carbon saving of over 285 tonnes per year is predicted, moving us a step closer to achieving Net Zero.

‘Nearly 3,500 staff and students based at our David Hockney Building and Advanced Technology Centre will benefit from this transition to renewable energy. Given Bradford is one of the UK’s youngest cities, it’s vital that we future-proof our region for the next generation, and we are delighted to be at the forefront of this work.’