In a major achievement for both the developers and the broader energy sector, the Chilton Woods heat network has become the first project funded by the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) to reach the ‘heat on’ milestone.
Conceptual image of Chilton Woods energy centre
In Round 3 of the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), heat network owners GTC and Metropolitan were awarded £745,000 construction funding to support the development of a heat network serving a new family housing development in Suffolk. Heat is now being delivered to the first homes on the Westland Heath development site and will eventually expand to serve 950 homes as part of the first phase.
The site-central community ‘Heat Hub’ uses large-scale air source heat pumps and thermal stores to generate hot water. This hot water is then distributed to homes via a network of insulated pipes throughout the development. By implementing the heat network, the need the need for individual heating systems at each home has been eliminated.
With support from the GHNF, the project will:
- Reduce carbon emissions by 75-80% from day one of its operation.
- Provide residents with a more reliable heating system, as the heat network uses thermal stores to lower peak energy demand.
- Give homeowners peace of mind with price and service protections in place from 2026, regulated by Ofgem.
In the next three phases of development, the heat network will expand to deliver heat to a number of buildings, including a primary school, community centre, and a selection of retail units.
Chilton Woods is a prime example of a heat network that is laying the foundations for a thriving heat network industry and supporting growth of the supply chain to meet future demand. The project will also constitute as one of the UK’s first low-rise, low-density heat network to achieve planning permission. Today’s milestone is a testament to the success of years of Research & Development and decades of experience informing best practice in heat network infrastructure delivery.
The trailblazing solution has now been contracted across multiple other sites with some of the UK’s largest housebuilders. The developers will now share their learnings on how to deliver these heat network projects at scale and pace, using their experience gathered on the Westland Heath Community Heat Hub.
The GHNF is now open to applications in Round 9. If you’re interested in applying, please visit our website.
