Over £3 million of funding is being awarded through the Government’s Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) to enhance heat networks across England and Wales. The funding, allocated in Round 5 of the scheme, will improve the efficiency of heat networks for the benefit of 8,492 residents and various other private and public sector organisations.
The funding awarded in this round brings the total awarded by HNES to over £30 million. In Round 5, 24 organisations will receive support, totalling £3.2 million for 33 heat networks across the country. Almost 2,000 residents will benefit from direct efficiency upgrades to their heat networks.
An additional 6,500 residents, hospitals, universities, and public sector institutions are set to benefit from optimisation studies in round 5. These studies will unlock additional areas for improvement that reduce energy bills, reduce energy consumption, and minimise customer detriment.
An optimisation study for a heat network serving the Ministry of Defence is included in this funding round and will identify areas whereby Wellington Barracks can improve its efficiency levels. The study demonstrates how the British Army is actively looking at ways to reduce its carbon footprint and is an example of how HNES exists to improve heat networks across diverse sectors.
The impact of this funding extends beyond financial benefits. By supporting 33 heat networks, we can expect emissions savings from this round to be equivalent to taking 938 diesel cars off the road each year. These initiatives contribute to the UK’s broader efforts to become a net zero economy.
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:
From Lancaster University to the British Army’s Wellington Barracks, heat networks are playing an important role in reducing energy use and cutting the UK’s emissions.
It’s fantastic that over 8,000 residents will now see improvements to their heating and hot water supply thanks to support from our Heat Network Efficiency Scheme, with over £30 million now awarded.
Louise Singleton, Principal Consultant at Gemserv, said:
As of today, HNES has awarded over £30 million to existing heat networks in England and Wales to optimise their efficiency levels so they’re fit for decades to come. Not only this, but today’s announcement is the first to show how HNES funded revenue studies can then lead to tangible improvements funded through capital applications.
Optimisation studies, unlocked by revenue grant funding, are crucial to help identify and inform heat network operators of the opportunities that exist to improve a heat network’s efficiency levels. We are delighted to be supporting projects all the way through from study to implementation.
Below is a summary of the projects which have successfully secured HNES funding in Round 5.
Capital Grant Funding
Capital grant funding will go directly towards covering the cost of operational works to improve the efficiency of existing heat networks. In this round, over £2.7 million will directly improve the efficiencies of heat networks serving 1,966 residents.
Local Authorities
Isleden House
The City of London Corporation has been awarded £466,033 for the improvements to the Isleden House communal heating system. Benefitting 77 homes, funding will go towards increasing insulation levels across the distribution system, upgrading the system controls, installing a monitoring system, and upgrading the water treatment. Improvements are expected to reduce the heating system’s energy use, ensure residents can better control their individual temperature levels and increase the reliability of the heating system.
Gospel Oak Royal Free Hospital (RFH) Waste Connection
The London Borough of Camden has been awarded £202,950 for the Gospel Oak RFH Waste Connection network. The scheme delivers waste heat from the hospital to Camden’s communal boiler houses serving 1,244 properties. Benefitting residents connected to the scheme, funding from HNES will go towards restoring waste heat to the heat network.
Holmleigh Court
Wandsworth Council has been awarded £343,640 for the Holmleigh Court heat network. Benefitting 39 residents, funding will go towards improving reliability across the network and installing a new Building Management System (BMS) to strengthen the ability to monitor and control the network. New pipework, HIUs, insulation and other infrastructure improvements will also be installed with the help of HNES funding.
Housing Associations and Social Housing Providers
Glamis Estate
East End Homes Limited has been awarded £918,580 for the Glamis Estate East – Elf Row, Glamis and Roslin heat networks. Funding will go towards upgrading the old and inefficient heat network, replacing pipework, customer controls in each dwelling and in the main plant room, whilst improving insulation across the network. This will benefit 265 dwellings.
Vega
Southern Housing has been awarded £203,632 for the Vega heat network in Brighton & Hove. Benefitting 40 residents, funding will go towards installing HIUs, new pipework, reviewing plant room controls and upgrading insulation across the network to improve efficiency levels.
Health and Education Sector
Lancaster Campus District Heat Network
Lancaster University has been awarded £560,387 for the Lancaster Campus District Heat Network. Funding will go towards upgrading infrastructure across the network and allow it to be “Heat Pump Ready”. The project therefore includes the installation of more efficient pumps and meters, improving the central building management system, enhancing insulation throughout the network. HNES funding will be crucial in achieving the University’s pledge to reach carbon net-zero for carbon emissions from electricity and heating by 2030.
Private Sector
The Williams Building
21-39 (Odd) Addenbrooke’s Road Freehold Limited has been awarded £52,409 for The Williams Building heat network. This project is the first main scheme capital project to be awarded funding for implementing improvements recommended by a previous optimisation study funded in Round 1.
HNES will support the repairing and recommissioning of infrastructure across the network including pumps and the overall control system. HIU’s will also be recommissioned, whilst new bulk meters and insulation will be installed. This will help to improve reliability and overall control over the heat network for 10 residents.
Seager Place
Freshplant Limited has been awarded £29,383 for the Seager Place heat network. Benefitting 267 residents, funding from HNES will go towards replacing control valves and sensors in order to reduce bills for residents and enhance network flow controls.
Revenue Grant Funding
In addition to capital grant funding, projects in Round 5 have also been awarded over £443,000 of revenue grant funding to undertake optimisation studies to review the performance of their heat networks and identify areas for improvement.
Housing Associations and Social Housing Providers
Incommunities Limited, for the Ruth House and Rossett & Underwood House heat networks.
Vivid Housing Limited, for the William Hitchcock House and Wickham Court heat networks.
Local Authorities
Coventry City Council, for the One Friargate and Council House heat networks.
London Borough of Camden, for the Netley heat network.
Private Sector
Invicta Rentals Limited, for the Orchard Park – Holbeach House heat network.
Radius RTM Company Limited, for the Radius Development heat network.
RMB 102 Limited, for the Gooch House and Park Central heat networks.
LTR (Victoria Point) Limited, for the Victoria Point heat network.
Health and Education Sector
Medway NHS Foundation Trust, for the Medway NHS Foundation Trust heat network.
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, for the RUH District Heating Network.
University of East Anglia, for the UEA heat network.
University of Warwick, for the 20km University of Warwick heat network.
Other
A2Dominion Housing Group Limited, for the Barrington Court heat network.
The British Army, for the Wellington Barracks heat network.
Cambridge Cohousing Ltd, for the Common House and Apartment Block heat network.
NOTES TO EDITORS
HNES can provide up to 50% of eligible project costs for capital grant applications and up to 100% of eligible project costs for revenue (Optimisation Study) grant applications. Applicants will need to submit a completed application form along with supporting evidence – and will be assessed and scored against criteria.
Those interested in applying for the scheme can express their interest by emailing HNES@gemserv.com.
The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Guidance is available on the gov.uk website here.
General enquiries and expressions of interest can be sent to HNES@gemserv.com.
More information about HNES including upcoming events can be found on Gemserv’s website, the delivery partner for the HNES Scheme, here.
Gemserv has been appointed as the Delivery Partner for HNES supported by Ramboll who will be providing technical assessment, Turner & Townsend providing applicant support and Lux Nova providing legal support.
