Heat networks across the country attract investment under the Government’s new Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), as final awards are also made under its predecessor the Heat Network Investment Project (HNIP). £30 million of funding has been offered to Councils in Wigan, Peterborough and Hull to support local decarbonisation targets.
Ken Hunnisett, Programme Director for Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management said: “Such has been the pace at which the Green Heat Network Fund has launched that we are still announcing the late-stage successes of its predecessor, the Heat Network Investment Project. The new network at the heart of the redeveloped Galleries Shopping Centre in Wigan will be delivering low carbon heat to retail, leisure, and residential premises within the next 3 years.”
Building on the success of the HNIP and responding to the UK’s commitment to net zero, the GHNF officially opened for applications in March 2022. The £288 million fund continues to provide targeted financial support for commercialisation and construction of heat network projects in England with a key focus on deployment.
On the announcement of the first GHNF supported projects, Ken Hunnisett said “It will be such a pleasure to work with the teams in Hull and Peterborough to deliver these fantastic, real-world, clean energy infrastructure projects that will generate local jobs and provide heat to local communities.”
The Minister for Energy Lord Callanan added: “I’m delighted to see the first batch of funding awards from the Green Heat Network Fund going out to these ground-breaking projects that will move homes and businesses away from fossil fuels and soaring energy bills.
“It is vital, given that heating in buildings forms a significant part of the UK’s carbon footprint, that we invest in cutting-edge technologies like heat networks, which are an effective way of reducing carbon emissions and energy costs.”
The following Council’s have been awarded funding:
- Hull City Council – £1 million commercialisation and £12 million construction funding from GHNF for the development of a heat network at the heart of the City’s decarbonisation plan.
- Peterborough City Council – over £14 million of GHNF support for the development of a smart energy network which includes intelligent digital platforms to manage and improve energy consumption.
- Wigan Council – £2.6 million HNIP funding to support the construction of a new heat network utilising ground source heat pump technology which is part of a wider £190 million regeneration project.
By utilising targeted government funding such as the HNIP and GHNF, local authorities are empowered to deliver long-term, sustained emissions reductions for local areas and contribute to a greener economy.
Following the announcement today, the UK Infrastructure Bank has offered to provide further investment to ensure these innovative low-carbon solutions can go above and beyond to deliver sustainable heat networks.
John Flint, CEO of the UK Infrastructure Bank said: “Helping Local Authorities unlock access to finance for heat networks will be crucial. The Bank is well placed to play a significant role in supporting the development of heat networks and we are pleased to be taking the next step through our new partnership with BEIS in fulfilment of this ambition.”
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