Hull to consider next steps for £42.6m district heating network
At this month’s cabinet meeting, the council will hear the full business case for the project and potentially award the construction contract for phase one to Vital Energi Utilities, along with a framework contract for further stages of the scheme.
The Hull District Heat Network will provide low-carbon heat to council properties, schools, development sites, private sector organisation, and possibly to apartments on Great Thornton Street and Cambridge Street.
Phase one will include building an energy centre at Trippett Street and a series of underground pipes that will be installed around the city centre.
The network was first approved back in 2023, and the business case was due to be heard in February 2024.
HDHN was initially based immediately around the city centre, however that remit was soon expanded and Ridge & Partners was appointed to provide further topographical and utility surveys in July last year.
The project will be funded by a £14m grant from the Green Heat Network Fund and Levelling Up Grant, and a £27m loan from the treasury’s National Wealth Fund, which would be repaid through the operation of the network.
It has been calculated that the district heating network will prevent the equivalent of 110,00o tonnes of carbon being released into the atmosphere over the next 40 years, contributing to Hull’s Net Zero targets and helping to provide cleaner air as well as renewable heat.
Cllr Charles Quinn, portfolio holder for environment at the council, said: “The delivery of Hull District Heat Network will provide low-carbon, reliable heat, saving money for the council and residents alike, whilst also creating jobs and delivering investment opportunities.
“The heating systems in many city centre council buildings are approaching the end of their life, but the heat network ensures their sustainability whilst also presenting a huge saving to the council compared to alternatives such as gas.
“It is the next step in realising our ambitions to become an environmentally friendly city and reaffirms the council’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030 and net zero by 2045.”
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