With the support of its key partners – the University of Bradford, Bradford College, and Bradford Courts – the Bradford Energy Network will enable the rapid decarbonisation of heating, the country’s biggest source of carbon emissions.
Major investment and government support
The project is backed by £20m from the UK Government’s Green Heat Network Fund, alongside private capital through Asper Investment Management. The investment provides a blueprint for deploying £1bn in heat networks over the next eight years to decarbonise heating in cities and towns nationwide.
Andrew Wettern, CEO of 1Energy, commented:
“We cannot reach net zero without decarbonising heat. We are proud to be delivering a city-wide solution to this challenge for Bradford alongside the University of Bradford, Bradford College, and Bradford Courts.
“The Bradford Energy Network is a flagship project in the UK’s transition to low carbon heating. Crucially, it also provides a blueprint for national rollout, successfully demonstrating how to: deploy institutional investment alongside Government funding, deliver savings for customers in the transition, and decarbonise existing and new buildings across a city through an exemplar low carbon heat network.
“The project is already delivering significant social value and wider benefits to the city – creating new jobs and skills, utilising the local supply chain, and creating a more favourable environment for inward investment into Bradford.”
Driving sustainability and economic growth
Replacing fossil-fuel-powered gas boilers with heat network connections, the Bradford Energy Network will also reduce air pollution from heating by 75%. During its first phase, the network is projected to save the key partners 29,780 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to taking 21,360 cars off the road.
Professor Shirley Congdon, vice-chancellor of the University of Bradford, said:
“This represents a pivotal moment for the city and the UK. As an anchor customer of the Bradford Energy Network and strategic partner of UK City of Culture 2025, we are proud to have played a vital role in helping build a healthier, greener Bradford.
“The network provides an opportunity to show the government how to build a brighter future for young people across the country, with other cities following in Bradford’s footsteps. It shows how we as a university are enabling positive change, for people and planet.”
Chris Malish, vice principal of Bradford College, added:
“Joining the Bradford Energy Network is another significant milestone in Bradford College’s sustainability strategy. After all the planned works are complete, a total annual direct carbon saving of over 285 tonnes per year is predicted, moving us a step closer to achieving net zero.
“Nearly 3,500 staff and students based at our David Hockney Building and Advanced Technology Centre will benefit from this transition to renewable energy. Given Bradford is one of the UK’s youngest cities, it’s vital that we future-proof our region for the next generation, and we are delighted to be at the forefront of this work.”
Ade Alao, head of capital improvement at HM Courts and Tribunals Service, said:
“Our exciting partnership with the Bradford Energy Network will help cut emissions while heating the court for years to come.
“It will save hundreds of tonnes of carbon emissions over the course of two decades as part of our transition to a more environmentally sustainable courts estate.”
Image: 1Energy