DECC boosts funding for low-carbon heating
Local Authorities across England and Wales have been awarded a share of an additional £3 million to set up a heat networks. The new fund will support 74 low carbon heat projects to provide more efficient heat to buildings. It will also enable carbon emissions to be cut, together with fuel poverty and increase employment opportunities.
Heat networks are designed to heat groups of buildings through a collection of insulated pipes carrying hot water. It eliminates the need for homes and businesses to generate their own heat. Instead it is distributed from a central location from sources such as rivers, mine water, biomass and energy from waste or recovered heat.
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey, said:
“Using wasted heat to warm our buildings is a cost effective way to cut carbon and slash energy bills. This money will help transform the way communities heat their buildings, schools and homes – as well as show how people and councils can work together to boost jobs and investment in their local area.”
“The 55 winning local authorities are the fourth group of successful bidders to be announced as part of the government’s drive to scale-up the reach of low-carbon heat through local networks. If half of the projects are built, this would represent a capital investment of £800 million.”
Baroness Verma, Under Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change announced the winners. She said:
“Low-carbon heat generation is on the rise in the UK and local authorities have an important role to play in maintaining this growth and driving forward innovation and progress in the heat industry. By working together communities have the power to deliver clean energy to local areas, reduce bills and create more green jobs.”
Those local authorities who are successful will be awarded a grant of between £16,000 and £263,000 to set up their projects.