UK news update October 2021

The UK Government publishes long-awaited ‘Net-Zero Strategy’ and ‘Heat and Buildings Strategy’ which set out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy • Award-winning water source heat pump system in Clydebank in the Greater Glasgow area officially opens ahead of COP26 • Liverpool City Council has granted permission for the next stage of Peel’s Mersey Heat network, including an additional 1km of pipe installations • Read more about the developments in sustainable heating and cooling in this month's news update from the UK

 

The UK Government publishes long-awaited ‘Net-Zero Strategy’ and ‘Heat and Buildings Strategy’

On the 19th of October, just in time for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, the UK Government published the Net-Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, which sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet the stated target of achieving net zero by 2050. Earlier on the same day, the UK Government also published its Heat and Buildings Strategy which outlines how the UK will decarbonise homes and commercial, industrial and public sector buildings. The main points of the latter report are reiterated in the Net Zero Strategy.

The Net Zero Strategy addresses a range of areas besides heat and buildings, including power, hydrogen, oil, gas, heavy industry, transport, nature and biodiversity, and greenhouse gas removals. A few key takeaways include a fully decarbonised power supply by 2035, ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and an extra £500 million in innovation funding to develop green technologies of the future.

The Heat and Buildings Strategy detail an overall commitment of £3.9 billion in funding to decarbonise heat and buildings. An essential part of that commitment is the £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which will allow homeowners to claim £5000 in grants for the upfront cost of purchasing a new heat pump is they choose to replace their gas boilers. The scheme will run over three years and is expected to target roughly 90,000 out of the UK’s 29 million domestic properties. Other measures detailed in the strategy include the improvement of energy efficiency in buildings through the Home Upgrade Grant, with £950 million in funding.

Read more about the Net-Zero Strategy on the UK Government’s website

Read more about the Heat and Buildings Strategy on the UK Government’s website

Read article summarising the Net-Zero Strategy by Edie

Read article summarising the Heat and Buildings Strategy by Edie

Read article summarising the Heat and Buildings Strategy by PlaceTech

 

Award-winning water source heat pump system in Greater Glasgow officially opens ahead of COP26

The West Dunbartonshire Energy Centre, situated in Clydebank which is a town just west of Glasgow, was named the most efficient, smart and sustainable project of the year after receiving an award from the European Heat Pump Awards early in October. The £20 million project includes the UK’s first large-scale water source heat pump, providing heat and hot water to the Queens Quay development including 1200 homes, businesses, and public buildings.

The energy centre officially opened on the 6th of October, gathering representatives from West Dunbarton Council, Vital Energi and Star Renewables. The opening showcases the successful delivery on carbon targets by local authorities, in time for world leaders to gather in Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit. The energy centre will grow over several phases to allow more homes, businesses and organisations to access low-carbon heat.

Read more in article by Scottish Construction Now

Read more in article by Scottish Housing News

Read more in article by Project Scotland

 

Next stage of Peel’s Mersey Heat network approved by Liverpool City Council

Liverpool City Council has granted permission for 1km of pipe to be installed in order to link existing district heating infrastructure to a new energy centre, in addition to the 2.5km of pipe already installed. When finished, Peel NRE’s Mersey Heat district heat network is expected to provide heat and hot water for over 9000 homes and 4 million sq. ft of commercial space, with annual carbon savings of around 4200 tonnes.

The project includes plans for two 3MW water source heat pump systems which will absorb heat from the waters in the Leeds/Liverpool canal. Work to install the next phase of Mersey Heat is expected to start in early 2022 and is funded by the Government’s Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP).

Read more in article by The Business Desk

Read more in article by Insider Media

 

 

To stay updated on news for sustainable heating and cooling, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our Newsletter.


Sweden is at the forefront of decentralised heat networks technology. Our aim for “Sustainable Heating & Cooling by Sweden” is to facilitate knowledge sharing between British, French and Swedish stakeholders and develop and encourage environmental and economic best practice.

To find out how we can help you and your organisation, please contact our London or Paris-based “SHC” teams. We can introduce you to leading consultants, suppliers of technology and services who will be pleased to share know-how of the development of sustainable heating & cooling solutions.

Get our newsletter