Plans Progress for Bradford's £75 Million Heat Network

The city of Bradford has been awarded nearly £16 million in funding to enhance the sustainability of significant buildings, including City Hall, local courts, and a police station. The £15.8 million allocation from the Government will primarily support the connection of buildings to the new Bradford Energy Network, a cutting-edge system currently being installed beneath the city streets.

A Green Energy Hub Beneath Bradford:

The Bradford Energy Network will use air-source heat pumps to transfer heat from a new energy plant under construction on Thornton Road. This sustainable energy will power numerous buildings, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and advancing the city’s decarbonization goals.

Bradford Council received £2 million to connect City Hall to the network, covering 88 per cent of the cost, with the remaining 12 per cent funded through the Council’s Clean Air Zone initiative. Additional grants have been awarded to critical institutions:

• Bradford College: £2.66 million

• HM Courts and Tribunals Service: £3.57 million

• University of Bradford: £6.5 million

The decarbonization efforts extend beyond the District Heat Network. West Yorkshire Police secured £992,321 to upgrade the Eccleshill Police Station (Javelin House). These upgrades include replacing gas-fired boilers with ground-source heat pumps, installing solar panels, and adding LED lighting to enhance energy efficiency.

Transforming Bradford’s Energy Landscape:

This ambitious project marks a significant step toward making Bradford’s public buildings greener and more energy-efficient. By integrating innovative heat pump technology and renewable energy sources, the city is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable urban development.

Referring to the Heat Network investment, a Bradford Council spokesman said: “When completed in Summer 2027, the Bradford District Heat Network will offer one of the most cost-effective solutions to decarbonise premises and will generate heat using one of the largest air source heat pump systems for heat networks in the UK connecting to the new energy supply to several sites in the city centre.”

Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “Bradford infrastructure and regeneration projects are of national significance delivering a more investable and more sustainable district as well as Bradford being the UK City of Culture in 2025.

“The heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency grants will allow us and other organisations in Bradford to contribute to the process of decarbonisation and contribute to the District's net-zero targets.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for Healthy People and Places, said: “Finding the right schemes to support and invest in is vital. We're not just looking at making current infrastructure more sustainable; we're keen to look at renewable energy sources, too. These not only benefit the environment and potentially reduces costs for customers in the longer term, but also improves energy security nationally.”