County Councillors have approved the next stage in the planning of new district heat networks in Northumberland. 
 

Following investigations into the feasibility of installing district heat networks in Alnwick, Ashington, Berwick, Blyth, Cramlington, Hexham, Morpeth and Prudhoe, the Council’s Cabinet has agreed to move to the next stage. 
 

This involves undertaking a major procurement exercise to appoint a heat provider which will be responsible for progressing and financing the detailed design, consultation, planning, construction and operation of heat networks in each of the eight towns on a commercial basis. 
 

District heat networks have the potential to deliver a wide range of benefits to residents, communities, and businesses including cost savings through more energy efficient heating sources with reduced maintenance requirements and new sources of income for businesses through providing heat - rather than wasting it. 
 

The heat networks are also a key component of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan as they contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions through less use of fossil fuels and less reliance on imported energy from the national grid. 
 

Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Glen Sanderson said: “We need to be looking at more low carbon technologies - like these heat networks – which can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, especially as the price of oil and gas is being pushed up by pressures on global energy markets. 
 

“Heating our properties is one of the largest sources of emissions in the county and we should be exploring new ways in which do this more sustainably so we can save money and the planet.” 
 

District heat networks distribute heat to a variety of buildings such as public buildings, shops, offices, hospitals, and homes from one source, such as waste heat generated from factories or by capturing heat from the ground or rivers, avoiding the need for individual boilers or electric heaters in every building.  
 

They also require a range of specialised skills to install, creating opportunities for workforce development and new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) pathways. 
 

Councillor Sanderson continued: “The solution for reducing emissions, at the pace and scale required to deliver our 2030 carbon neutral commitment, will be through connecting homes and businesses to a low carbon heating source like this. 
 

“There is still lots of work to be done to make this a reality, but this decision is a big step forwards and I fully welcome the decision to progress this to the next stage.” 
 

Heat networks are a core part of the UK’s strategy to deliver net zero. In urban areas and towns, they are often the lowest cost, low carbon heating option, offering a communal solution that can provide heat to a range of homes and businesses by capturing or generating heat locally.  
 

The cost of the next stage in the process is expected to be fully funded through the NELEP (North East Local Enterprise Partnership) Energy Accelerator Fund at no additional cost to the Council.