Manchester’s Civic Quarter Heat Network gets green light

Manchester City Council has secured £2.87 million of grant funding from the government’s national Heat Network Investment Project, for the Manchester Civic Quarter Heat Network.

The council is one of only nine local authorities who have won funding for their projects. The funding advances the project, which will deliver significant carbon reductions over three decades.

Following the grant success, the council will meet the remainder of the programme investment. The project will become cost-neutral over the course of the scheme, with the potential to generate revenue to fund future low-carbon, renewable initiatives.

The scheme has been designed with expansion in mind and as the network grows and more customers are connected, further capacity can be installed and the benefits increased.

Vital Energi has been appointed as preferred bidder to deliver the scheme, which will include the creation of a low-carbon energy centre and 2km district heating network. Heat created during electricity generation will be distributed through a highly efficient underground network of insulated pipes. The electrical power generated will be distributed to buildings connected to the heat supply.

All carbon and financial savings are guaranteed by Vital Energi under a 30-year energy performance contract, which will also see them perform operations and maintenance responsibilities for the duration of the contract.

The project, which includes a 40m flue, will be a permanent addition to Manchester’s skyline and four of the UK’s most renowned architecture practices were shortlisted to submit designs as part of a competition to ensure the energy centre would be a positive addition to Manchester’s Civic Quarter.

Angeliki Stogia, Manchester City Council’s executive member for the environment and skills, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Manchester to not only reduce energy costs and carbon emissions within the civic estate, but also to offer those same environmental and financial benefits to local businesses.

"The council is fully committed to improving air quality and the environmental quality and attractiveness of the city, and we believe this flagship project will make a significant contribution to achieving those ambitions.”

Phil Mottershead, account director, Vital Energi, said: “This is a very exciting time for Manchester and the start of what will be one of the UK’s major city centre heat networks. The scheme will continue to grow and expand, offering low carbon heating and more affordable energy to local businesses at the heart of the city. We are delighted to be named as preferred bidder on the project and look forward to working closely with the council to deliver this flagship scheme which will continue to deliver benefits for decades to come.”