Plymouth to pilot district heating scheme
- Plymouth will trial a low-carbon heating system as part of the government's Heat Network pilot project, involving 17 cities.
- The project is expected to attract £350 million in investment and create 400 jobs, with the first phase utilizing waste heat from local facilities.
- Once fully implemented, the system could reduce carbon emissions significantly and lower fuel bills, contributing to the city's net-zero objectives.
Plymouth is set to trial a new low-carbon heating system as part of the government's Heat Network pilot project, which includes 17 cities. This initiative aims to implement district heating, which utilizes waste heat from a central source to provide energy to buildings through insulated pipes. The city council anticipates that this system will attract £350 million in green infrastructure investment over the next 20 years and create approximately 400 jobs. The project will be executed in two phases, with the first phase focusing on the southern and western areas of Plymouth. It will utilize waste heat from the South West Water Central Plant and the Devonport Energy from Waste facility, with an initial funding of £60 million. The second phase will incorporate waste heat from the NHS medical waste incinerator. Once fully operational, the district heating system is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 31,000 tonnes of CO2 and could lower fuel bills by up to 30%. Councillor Tom Briars-Delve emphasized the significance of this project, noting that heating contributes to 28% of the city's total emissions. The council plans to collaborate with a private sector development partner to implement the project, as they lack the necessary expertise and capital investment. This initiative is a crucial step towards achieving the city’s net-zero goals and is seen as a momentous milestone for Plymouth's environmental efforts.