'Pioneering' green energy project awarded £23.2m

A major project to heat university, college and hospital buildings in Derby from a source several miles away in Spondon has received government backing.

Water source heat pumps will be used to warm hot water pipes laid between the suburb and the city centre in the project, which is scheduled to be completed by 2029.

Heat generated from businesses will be used by the heat pumps, although the company behind it, Energy1, is yet to reveal which businesses are involved.

The firm has now been awarded £23.2m towards the scheme from the government's Green Heat Network Fund.

Project director Nick Johnston said: "People [in Derby] should be delighted as it represents a really long-term investment in the city that is backed by both public and private finance.

"It's part of the UK's long-term transition towards energy security and net zero and it really positions the city as a pioneer on this journey.

"So we're absolutely delighted to be awarded the grant and we're really excited to take the project forward."

Mr Johnston said a similar scheme in Bradford was 75% complete and is due to start running next year.

There are also plans for heat networks in Exeter and Milton Keynes.

The plan in Derby is to heat up to 47 buildings in this way including the Royal Derby Hospital and the Florence Nightingale Hospital, located about seven miles away from Spondon.

Derby College and the University of Derby are also signed up to the project.

A University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Trust spokesperson said: "We have ambitions to become a net zero organisation and are proactively looking at opportunities that will help us to reduce our carbon footprint and become more sustainable, which is better for the environment as well as the taxpayer.

"We look forward to working alongside partners as a part of this project, which could see two of our Derby hospitals provided with pre-heated water to significantly reduce how much gas we use and will offer one of the most cost-effective heating solutions available."

The government's Green Heat Network Fund has been set up to help cut the country's carbon emissions.

Miatta Fahnbulleh, the minister for energy consumers, said: "Heat networks will play an important role in our mission for clean power by 2030, helping us to achieve energy independence and lower bills."

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.