One of the largest heat network upgrades in the UK has officially gone live.
The Duffryn Heat Network Replacement Project in Newport has seen Vital Energi replace 7.5km of district heating pipework. The project received £3.7 million towards the cost of replacing the pipework from the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES).
The Duffryn estate was constructed in the 1970s, with and Energy Centre installed at the same time. In 2015 construction began on an innovative 2.5MW biomass boiler which uses locally sourced wood chip to deliver low-carbon heat to residents.
With the original installation coming to the end of its life, the new network will deliver sustainable heating and hot water to more than 1,000 customers for decades to come.
Sonia Furzland, Executive Director of Operations for Newport City Homes said,
“The Duffryn District Heat Network Replacement Project has been a vast undertaking, and we’re grateful for the patience and support shown to our colleagues by Duffryn residents throughout the duration of these works.
“Duffryn Energy Centre is a central part of the Duffryn community. The new pipework secures the future of the Energy Centre and will continue to deliver sustainable heating and hot water to our customers for decades to come.”
Ashley Walsh, Managing Director for Vital Energi, explained:
“This network plays a core part in people’s day to day lives so we’re extremely happy to have been involved in upgrading it, making it more efficient, reliable, and bringing it into the 21st century.
“New products and techniques are now far superior to the technology around when the network was first established, so not only will this heat network last longer, it will also lose less heat and deliver better value for money for its customers.”
Owain Roberts, Director of Property and Place at Newport City Homes and Dave Hutchinson, Operations Director at Vital Energi, officially launched the network by ceremonially opening the main valve.
