Construction has begun on the extension of Leeds’ district heating network.
Leeds PIPES uses heat and energy recovered from non-recyclable waste to provide hot water to buildings across the city. The Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility (RERF) recovers energy from Leeds’ black bin waste and transmits it through the PIPES network.
Now this network is being expanded in a £7.4 million upgrade programme. This will add 2,500 metres to the network so more areas will begin to feel the benefits.
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The energy is low carbon, reliable and, according to Leeds City Council, affordable. This is particularly important with recent energy price rises, particularly as, if the government does not intervene first, the price cap may increase by £1,578.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for Infrastructure and Climate, said: “The Leeds PIPES district heating network is one of our most exciting infrastructure projects and has real momentum behind it with more public, commercial, and residential buildings all choosing to connect.
“By extending the network to more parts of the city, I am delighted that we’ll soon be able to give even more businesses and residents the opportunity to enjoy affordable, reliable and low carbon heat—helping them to move away from costly fossil fuel based systems and towards a greener future.”
The network will now stretch over 17 miles and has already supplied 15,454 megawatt-hours of heating. It has also helped reduce the carbon footprint of Leeds by 2,000 tonnes.
Any building can connect to the PIPES network if it is nearby and the latest to announce plans to do so are Leeds Magistrates Court and Leeds Combined Court Centre. The PIPES network cost around £49 million.
The latest expansion received £3 million from the government’s Heat Network Investment Project. Lord Callanan, Minister for Business and Energy, said: “Government grants have already allowed homes, businesses and public buildings across Leeds city centre to move away from using costly fossil fuels and this latest heat network funding will help many more to see the benefits of low-carbon heating.
“Coupled with upgrades through the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, we are showing how investing in cutting-edge clean technologies can help protect consumers and businesses from the costs that are driving up energy bills at a time of high global prices.”
The PIPES network is delivered in partnership between Leeds City Council and Vital Energi. More than 430 people have been employed as well as 36 apprentices.
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