A heat network scheme located in Worthing has today been announced as one of four low carbon heat network projects to be awarded funding through the Government’s Heat Networks Investment Project.
Worthing Borough Council will draw on just over £5 million of HNIP funding to develop a heat network that will use a centralised 3MW heat pump to capture heat passing through the sewers underneath the town’s high street.
The use of ‘sewer heat’ to replace gas boilers follows a discovery that sewers below Worthing contain more than enough heat to replace gas boilers.
Minister for Climate Change Lord Callanan said:
“Changing the way we heat our homes and workspaces is key to tackling pollution and today’s investment into the Worthing’s heat network will put the seaside town at the heart of South East England’s’ green industrial revolution.
“Chosen to host one of England’s’ first ever centralised sewer source heat pump, Worthing will be able to offer affordable, low-carbon heat and energy the towns’ homes, opening up job and investment opportunities for South Sussex, and helping to make South East England a greener place to live, work, and visit.”
The scheme will support the council’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030 by replacing gas boilers in 27 buildings and saving an estimated 2,454 tonnes per year.
HNIP funding will cover preparatory work, initial construction and the appointment of a private sector partner to help finance, design, build, own and operate.
Cllr Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Digital and Environmental Services, said:
“The prospect of heating huge swathes of the town using the heat that is literally beneath our feet while phasing out environmentally harmful gas boilers, is a simple but wonderful piece of science that, if adopted around the
world, could help save the planet. I’m extremely grateful to HNIP for showing faith in our scheme with this funding.”
Buildings due to connect to the network include the town hall, library, hospital, leisure centres, law courts, police buildings and possibly schools. Future expansion potential of the Worthing heat network could see additional premises connect to the network over time.
The announcement follows the recent publication of the Heat and Buildings Strategy, which placed a particular emphasis on the use of heat pumps in the delivery of low carbon heat.
Ken Hunnisett, Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management said:
“The Heat and Buildings Strategy made clear that both heat networks and heat pumps are central to the Government’s decarbonisation efforts. So, it is fantastic to see so many schemes already stepping up to combine these solutions in such innovative ways to access heat under our feet, in the air around us, in our waterways and even within our sewerage system. Not only will these inspiring projects deliver carbon savings, but they prove that heat pump technology is adaptable and can contribute to a smarter, more flexible future energy system.”
All four successful heat network schemes announced today utilise heat pump technology and bring the total amount awarded via the Heat Networks Investment Project to over £250 million. The variety of projects that have secured funding really demonstrate the adaptability and flexibility of heat pump technology when deployed in heat networks.
Notes to editors:
For more information about Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management and to find out how to apply for HNIP support visit: www.tp-heatnetworks.org.
A high level summary of HNIP https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-networks-investment-project-hnip-scheme-overview
For further information about the scheme and to join the HNIP mailing list to receive updates, please contact us: enquiries@tp-heatnetworks.org.
For all media enquiries, please contact: comms.ecuity@tp-heatnetworks.org.
