Energy partnership delivers multi-million-pound boost for Sunderland https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/article/37994/Energy-partnership-delivers-multi-million-pound-boost-for-Sunderland#:~:text=1Energy and Sunderland City Council,buildings, and ongoing regeneration projects. A new partnership that will deliver a £67m energy boost to Sunderland city centre has been announced today. 1Energy and Sunderland City Council have signed an agreement that will unlock major investment to significantly improve and future-proof the area's heating infrastructure, supporting new commercial developments, civic buildings, and ongoing regeneration projects. The agreement represents the latest in a long line of significant investment announcements that are driving transformation of the city on a scale not seen in decades. The £67m investment, which could potentially increase to circa £128m to support further expansion and regeneration, will create an extensive new district heat network where cleaner sustainable energy - locally generated heating, supported by an energy centre in the city centre - is distributed direct to public and commercial buildings, as well as potentially to private homes, through highly insulated underground pipelines. It will enable specific commercial and residential properties, initially within a couple of kilometres of the city centre, to connect to a local energy supply, benefit from low carbon heating, and reduce the need for traditional energy heating solutions like gas boilers to be fitted, drastically cutting emissions. Having a local heat source will also support energy security and resilience, creating jobs for local people and suppliers as the system is rolled out. Heat will be generated using innovative, sustainable technology at an energy centre located in Deptford. It is intended that a small data centre will also be located alongside, offering a supply of waste heat which is incorporated into the network. The multi-million-pound investment project will benefit both private and public sector buildings and discussions are ongoing exploring the role it might play in heating the Royal Hospital, City Hall, the University's City and St Peter's campuses, and other city centre buildings. Work will be rolled out in phases over the next 5 years and it is envisaged that homes in residential areas including Deptford, Millfield, Bishopwearmouth, Thornhill, Ashbrooke, Monkwearmouth and parts of Roker, Fulwell and the East End might also benefit from the heat network in years to come…
