UK Minister for Climate, Katie White OBE MP, recently toured key buildings connected to the Leeds PIPES heat network including Leeds Civic Hall and Leeds Beckett University as the city celebrates carbon reductions of approximately 500 tonnes and energy cost savings of around £250,000 annually.
The tour also included the Cross Green Energy Centre, which takes excess heat from the nearby Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility (RERF).
The tour showcased the technologies and processes that convert waste heat into usable, low-temperature hot water and distributes it throughout the city.
During the tour, the Climate Minister said: “Leeds PIPES is a shining example of how local leadership and innovation can deliver real progress on the path to net zero.
“I was delighted to see first-hand how waste is being harnessed to bring clean power to Leeds as part of the government’s clean energy superpower mission.”
The Minister was joined on her visit by Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley.
This pioneering heat network, delivered by the council and Vital Energi, is not only cutting the emissions of home and commercial heating, but also creating hundreds of good jobs for local people, and driving investment into the community.
Also in attendance was a delegation from Vital Energi including Ian Whitelock - CEO, Mike Cooke - Managing Director, Abby Whitelock - Marketing & Communications Director, and Mike Worrall - Project Director.
Leeds City Council were represented by Joe Callin - Project Manager, Andrew Lingham - Senior Project Manager, and Councillor Katie Dye - Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee.
Cooke said: “The Leeds PIPES Project is about harnessing waste heat to deliver decarbonisation, but it’s also, about people.
From the pipes in the ground to the construction of the energy centre, we’ve worked with the council to create 450 jobs in total and training opportunities with local education institutions, bringing people into the green energy sector and spending money with local businesses.
“These projects are developed for the community and to bring wider benefits to the people of Leeds and not just the key iconic buildings and homes connected.
It has been great that the Minister for Climate has taken such a keen interest in Heat Networks, and we are hopeful that this is a strong indicator from the Government as to how important Heat Networks are to reducing the UK’s emissions.”
