The Leeds PIPES district heating network has marked the latest major milestone in its journey, having connected over 3,000 dwellings across the region since the scheme began back in 2018.
Asserting itself as one of the fastest growing and largest heat networks in the UK, the scheme connects circa 55 individual buildings across multiple sectors, including student living and social housing, as well as public and commercial residencies. The network’s rapid growth enables customers across the city to reap the benefits of the network, which provides them with access to more affordable, reliable, low carbon heat and hot water.
Delivered by Vital Energi, in partnership with Leeds City Council and Ener-Vate, the network has connected to 29 key buildings such as St James’s Hospital, Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Town Hall and Leeds Beckett University, and has been responsible for the reduction of nearly 6,000 tonnes of carbon in 2023 alone.
The programme has delivered 430 green jobs across the Leeds City region to date, with significant expansion plans signalling further benefits for local people in the near future.
Some of the network’s most recent customers include Leeds Conservatoire and Tec Campus, in addition to occupants in social housing dwellings at Lovell Park. Further development plans are on the horizon, with installations due to be complete by early on properties across Leonora House and at 24-28 Great George Street.
Patsy Gilbert, vice principal at Leeds Conservatoire, said: “Leeds Conservatoire is committed to continuing its path towards finding more environmentally sustainable ways of offering high quality education environments for all of our community. We are thrilled to be joining organisations across Leeds as part of the district heating network as a substantial part of that commitment.
“We continue to work with other music, theatre and arts organisations to achieving Leeds’ carbon-zero ambitions, as we find more sustainable ways to create and tour artistic work.”
Mike Cooke, managing director from Vital Energi said:“We have seen Leeds PIPES go from strength to strength since the project began in 2018, with thousands of customers across the city feeling the benefits of the network in their energy bills, and in support of their personal sustainability goals.
“Connecting over 3,000 dwellings marks a major achievement for this project, with plans for further expansion signalling the direction of growth that the initiative is heading towards.
“We are incredibly proud to see the impact generated by Leeds PIPES on local lives as we reach this milestone, which is increased with each connection we make. We look forward to continuing this trend in the years to come.”
