Energy Minister visits Liverpool to spotlight the impact of the HNIP-funded Mersey Heat Network

Marking the first ministerial heat network visit under the new government, Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, stopped by Liverpool’s Mersey Heat Network Energy Centre this week. Led by Peel Group’s district heat network specialist Ener-Vate, and being delivered in partnership with low carbon solutions specialist, Vital Energi, the heat network has been twice funded by the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) and will provide low carbon heating and hot water to existing and new build regeneration projects for the locale, with plans to scale up to expand to a wider regional area. 

The Mersey Heat Network Energy Centre is a true success story for the industry. The project was initially awarded £1.3m worth of funding in round 2 towards the first phase of its heat network which would connect new homes and businesses within the development.  It was later awarded £6.2m in round 8 to fund one of two 3MW low-carbon heat pumps and an expansion to include Liverpool’s Three Graces buildings.

The Liverpool Waters regeneration development, spanning 2.3km across the city’s northern docks, will benefit from low carbon heat and hot water from a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP), harnessing heat from the Leeds/Liverpool Canal. The innovative Energy Centre, which is being designed and built by Vital Energi, will reduce Liverpool’s carbon footprint and improve the energy-efficiency levels of over 6,700 new homes, 1.3 million sq feet of commercial space, the Titanic Hotel and conference spaces.

Jo Longdon, Director of Strategy from Ener-Vate said of the visit:

“It was an honour to meet the Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP and showcase the Mersey Heat Network which we have been developing since 2016 on behalf of Peel Group. We are extremely proud of the scheme. It’s a fantastic example of how we can utilise local heat sources to generate low carbon heat and we are excited for the delivery of Mersey Heat and the role it will play in future zone plans for Liverpool. The funding from HNIP has allowed the Mersey Heat Network to be ambitious in scale. Our water source heat pump, set to begin providing heat this year, will bring us even closer to reaching net zero, saving more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon per year.”

Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: 

“It was fantastic to visit the Mersey Heat Network today, seeing first-hand how heat from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is being used to provide hot water for thousands of homes and businesses.

“Heat networks are just one of the ways in which we will invest in clean, homegrown power, helping to finally end our exposure to international markets and secure Britain’s energy independence.”

Nick Gosling, Chief Strategy Officer from Vital Energi, said:

“It’s always a privilege to showcase heat network projects, like Mersey Heat, as an example of what can be achieved with low carbon energy solutions and the support of funding like that of HNIP. This project has been in the making since 2016 and it is an honour to show the Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP around the project as it’s coming to fruition. We are really looking forward to the continued growth of the Mersey Heat project and the low carbon savings Liverpool will benefit from.”

The funding has also facilitated a potential further extension of the network to the Grade II listed Cunard Building, George’s Dock Building and Museum of Liverpool, all of which define an iconic skyline along Liverpool’s Pier Head.

In April this year, the Princes Dock’s office buildings became the first commercialbuildings to connect to the Mersey Heat Network. The Mersey Network Heat Energy Centre near Great Howard Street which houses the WSHP is set to complete by the end of this financial year.