Now one of the UK’s largest and fastest-growing heat networks, Leeds PIPES connects 55 buildings, including social housing, student accommodation, and public and commercial properties.
The network provides affordable, reliable, and low-carbon heat and hot water, reducing nearly 6,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in 2023 alone.
Delivered by Vital Energi in partnership with Leeds City Council and Ener-Vate, the project has also created 430 green jobs across the Leeds City region.
Recent additions to the network include Leeds Conservatoire, Tec Campus, and social housing at Lovell Park, with new installations planned at Leonora House and 24-28 Great George Street.
Voices from the network
Patsy Gilbert, vice principal at Leeds Conservatoire, shared: “Leeds Conservatoire is committed to continuing its path towards finding more environmentally sustainable ways of offering high-quality education environments for all of our community.
“We are thrilled to be joining organisations across Leeds as part of the district heating network as a substantial part of that commitment. We continue to work with other music, theatre and arts organisations to achieve Leeds’ carbon-zero ambitions, as we find more sustainable ways to create and tour artistic work.”
Mike Cooke, managing director at Vital Energi, highlighted the network’s achievements: “We have seen Leeds PIPES go from strength to strength since the project began in 2018, with thousands of customers across the city feeling the benefits of the network in their energy bills and in support of their personal sustainability goals.
“Connecting over 3,000 dwellings marks a major achievement for this project, with plans for further expansion signalling the direction of growth that the initiative is heading towards.
“We are incredibly proud to see the impact generated by Leeds PIPES on local lives as we reach this milestone, which is increased with each connection we make. We look forward to continuing this trend in the years to come.”
Future growth
Leeds PIPES has already connected key sites such as St James’s Hospital, Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Town Hall, and Leeds Beckett University. The programme continues to expand, creating more local jobs and reducing carbon emissions as Leeds pushes towards its carbon-zero goals.
Image: Vital Energi