Darlington Borough Council has signed an energy agreement for development of a town-wide heat network.
The project is still in its early stages, but will see energy infrastructure firm, SSE Energy Solutions (SSE) build an Energy Centre in the town centre to house large air source heat pumps).
The collaboration could see a network of connections built between council buildings and potentially other significant sites including government, hospital, university and college buildings, as well as future mixed-use developments.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two strategic parties sets out a joint vision for the network’s development and includes a shared ambition for SSE to apply to the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) in the next funding window.
The council has revised its target for reaching net zero across its estate, bringing it forward by a decade to 2040.
Its actions so far have successfully reduced its carbon emissions by over 50% and it believes the agreement with SSE will accelerate low carbon investment in Darlington, as well as creating skilled jobs and driving local economic revival.
SSE has one of the largest clean energy investment programmes in the FTSE-100. Under the Net Zero Acceleration Programme Plus, it is investing £20.5bn in green energy projects over the next five years.
According to recent strategic government figures, heat networks are projected to meet 20% of the country’s sustainable heat demand by 2050 and are seen as a crucial component in the UK’s strategy to decarbonise heating, which currently accounts for 37% of CO2 emissions. It believes this could attract between £80-£100bn of investment into the UK.
Jody Pittaway, SSE Energy Solutions, said: “The partnership we are announcing with Darlington Borough Council will support the Development process for the heat network by helping us engage with many of the potential low carbon heat off takers within Darlington Town Centre.
“We have already had many promising conversations with building owners across Darlington and this agreement will help us take that engagement to the next level.
“DBC has set clear targets for decarbonisation and its economic growth agenda will only be boosted by our Social Value strategy which is designed to champion a fair and just energy transition.”
Cllr Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy, added: “We have already made great progress towards net zero by 2040 but there is still work to be done. We are exploring the idea of a local heat network with SSE and this first step will help them bid for funding for the project.
“Local heat networks can offer many benefits to us and our central businesses and, as a council, we need to explore the options available to us. This collaboration with SSE is one such option.”
