Plymouth seeks partner for heat network plans

Plymouth City Council is seeking a partner to deliver a heat network in the South Coast and Derriford areas. The partner will be responsible for “design and commercialisation” of the proposed network up to an approval gateway.

The Plymouth South Coast and Derriford areas have been identified through the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero's (DESNZ) heat network zoning pilot, as being suitable for low-carbon heat networks. Exclusive rights to develop heat networks in these areas will be subject to the outcome of future Zoning Regulations.

Plymouth is a participant of the Advanced Zoning Programme (AZP) which aims to bring forward a handful of zones in English cities in alignment with the upcoming Heat Network Zoning Regulations.

The southern South Coast area heat network outline plan is based principally around two large waste heat sources: the South West Water Central Plant, and the Devonport Energy from Waste plant.

At Derriford the scheme is focused on expanding the existing ground source scheme at Plymouth Marjon University, together with waste heat from the NHS medical waste incinerator to provide heating and cooling across this area. Annual carbon savings with significant build out for both zones have been estimated to be 31,000tCO2, which represents over 3% of the current city emissions.