£2m heat network plan
A HEAT network system which could mean cheaper energy bills for homes in a South Wales town is a step closer to reality.
The Bridgend project’s £2m first phase involves the installation of a combined heat and power boiler at Bridgend Life Centre which would then be used to warm the leisure centre and the nearby bowls hall, the civic offices and the new Sunnyside development being built by Linc Cymru.
Subject to obtaining a £665,000 grant from the UK government and a full business case being approved, the network’s first phase will be operational in October 2020.
Bridgend County Council, which has developed the project, hopes further heat networks will be built across the county with the potential for interlinking them over time.
A second scheme is being looked into centred on the Princess of Wales Hospital, Glanrhyd Hospital and the Wildmill Estate.
And future phases involve the network expanding to connect dozens of schools, houses in Brackla, the Parc Afon Ewenny development, South Wales Police headquarters and industrial parks.
Bridgend council first began investigating heat network opportunities six years ago, seeking to secure heat supplies over a 50-year period, reduce carbon emissions and reduce energy costs for customers.
With energy being supplied to the four connected buildings through underground pipes in the network’s first phase, the council is expected to reduce its energy costs by between 5-10%.
Bridgend council’s cabinet has now approved the financial case for the project.
Speaking at last week’s cabinet meeting, council leader Huw David said: “This is a prestigious project and we are leading the way in Wales.
“We also have the Caerau mine-water project and we are the first in the UK to be developing a large-scale project like that.
“We are thinking about the future and planning for the future – we have to reduce the energy we consume and we have to make sure the energy we do use is from more renewable sources.
“This project is subject to a full business case and we will have to ensure that stacks up but there are major opportunities here for us to take advantage from UK government grants and support from Welsh Government.”
Richard Young, the council’s cabinet member for communities, added: “Most individual buildings within Bridgend town centre are heated with boilers that are fired by fossil fuels.
“This carbon intensive approach cannot continue if we are to contribute to the Welsh Government’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050.
“Heat networks are the way forward.
“This long-term project will have significant environmental, social and economic benefits for the area.
“Investment this scheme will also create jobs and training opportunities, address fuel poverty and health inequalities among residents, and also in provide supply opportunities for businesses.”
The council is expected to form a separate company to run the heat network. chain local