A heat network scheme located in the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea has today been announced as one of four low carbon heat network projects to be awarded funding through the Government’s Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP).

Kensington and Chelsea Council has been awarded over £1.1 million to develop a new zero carbon heat network which will be able to provide heat to 826 existing homes in North Kensington, and several public buildings and business units.

Around 80% of the homes that will connect to the network are currently heated by two heat networks which are over 40 years old, and the remainder use individual combi-boilers and gas CHP.

By using Air Source Heat Pump technology, the Notting Dale Heat Network will be zero-carbon from 2030 supporting the council’s plans for the borough to become net zero carbon by 2040.

Minister for Climate Change Lord Callanan said:

“Changing the way we heat our homes and workspaces is key to tackling pollution and today’s investment into the Kensington and Chelsea’s heat network will put the Royal Borough at the heart of London’s green industrial revolution.

“This network of air source heat pumps will deliver affordable, low-carbon heat and energy across the borough’s homes and business units, opening up job and investment opportunities in the area, all contributing to making the UK’s capital city a greener place to live, work, and visit.”

The scheme is expected to deliver carbon savings over the first 15 years of operation of around 790 tonnes per year.

Cllr Kim-Taylor Smith, lead member for Grenfell, Housing and Social Investment, said:

“It’s important as a Council we continue to put residents first and provide a better quality of life now and for future generations. We’re making great strides in our progress to decarbonise all of our services and the borough as a whole, but we know homes can be one of the biggest carbon emitters.

“It’s fantastic to be able to further our plans for a zero-carbon heat network, which we have co-designed with local residents. This will allow us to provide affordable heating and hot water in an environmentally friendly way, whilst tackling fuel poverty.”

The announcement follows the recent publication of the Heat and Buildings Strategy, which placed a particular emphasis on the use of heat pumps in the delivery of low carbon heat.

Ken Hunnisett, Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management said:

“The Heat and Buildings Strategy made clear that both heat networks and heat pumps are central to the Government’s decarbonisation efforts. So, it is fantastic to see so many schemes already stepping up to combine these solutions in such innovative ways to access heat under our feet, in the air around us, in our waterways and even within our sewerage system. Not only will these inspiring projects deliver carbon savings, but they prove that heat pump technology is adaptable and can contribute to a smarter, more flexible future energy system.”

All four successful heat network schemes announced today utilise heat pump technology and bring the total amount awarded via the Heat Networks Investment Project to over £250 million. The variety of projects that have secured funding really demonstrate the adaptability and flexibility of heat pump technology when deployed in heat networks.