BY Michael Berriman | Thursday 3 September 2020
Plans to deliver low carbon heat to thousands of homes in Hull through a new heating network have moved a step closer.
The Hull District Heating Project would provide heating to public and private business, and residential accommodation, in the city centre.
The project forms part of the Council’s decarbonisation agenda, Hull 2030 Carbon Neutral Strategy and is linked to the Humber LEP’s Energy Estuary ambition.
Councillor Daren Hale, portfolio holder for regeneration and economic investment, said: “The development of the district heating network is a key strategic and infrastructure project for the city.
“This is a fantastic example of the long-term ambitions and vision we have for Hull, which will support us to achieve our environmental goals as well as continue business growth and economic development.”
Hull City Council, through the City Plan, Local Enterprise Partnership Strategic Economic Plan and Industrial Strategy Blueprint has set a goal to be a leading energy city and transition to a low carbon economy. The Hull District Heating Project will help deliver the necessary infrastructure for this transition.
A district heating network provides heating for homes, offices and other buildings from a central energy centre delivered through an underground piped network, replacing existing heating systems.
District heating systems can also provide cooling and electricity and these will be looked at as part of the Hull project. District heating systems also reduce greenhouse gases and deliver heating at a cost lower than natural gas.
A tender process has begun to inform the next stage of the project, which will include producing more detailed options regarding how the network will look and how it could be implemented.
The tenders will undertake the Detailed Project Development stage, which will produce a business case upon which the council can make a final decision on how to progress to the construction stage of the network.
