Major jobs boost as Sheffield gets share of £5.8m to develop one of England's first heat network zones
Sheffield has been chosen to develop one of England’s first heat network zones, set to create ‘tens of thousands of jobs’.
It is one of six towns and cities across the country which have been awarded a share of £5.8 million to pilot the new clean heating scheme.
The Government says the technology will provide low-cost, low-carbon heating to more businesses and building owners.
.jpeg?trim=0,0,433,0&width=640&quality=65)
It works by using excess heat, generated for example by data centres or factories, to heat several buildings at once.
Buildings such as hotels and large offices can connect when it is cost-effective for them to do so.
Sheffield has been chosen along with Leeds, Plymouth, Bristol, Stockport and London to develop the zones, with construction expected to start from 2026.
The Government said the new zones will help to create tens of thousands of jobs, including engineering, planning, manufacturing and construction roles, across the country.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for energy consumers, said: “Heat network zones will play an important part in our mission to deliver clean power for the country, helping us take back control of our energy security.
“As well as energy independence, they will support millions of businesses and building owners for years to come, with low-cost, low carbon heating – driving down energy bills.”
She said the Leeds PIPES district heat network, which has already received nearly £30m of government funding and is serving thousands of homes, along with civic and commercial buildings in the city, shows what can be achieved.
“It is already serving thousands of homes as well as civic and commercial buildings in the city, delivering cleaner heating.
In London, excess heat from data centres, which would otherwise be wasted, will provide heating for a major regeneration scheme, while in Leeds heat will be taken from a glass factory to warm nearby buildings.
The Star has asked for more details of the proposed scheme in Sheffield, which the Government has yet to provide.
But the Government says the types of buildings which could connect to a heat network include those which are already communally heated, and large non-domestic buildings over a certain size, like hospitals, universities, hotels, supermarkets, and office blocks.
The development of heat network zones is part of the Government’s plan to reduce bills, enhance energy security and achieve net zero by 2050.