EQUANS — the new name for ENGIE’s services-led activities — has been appointed by Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) to deliver an innovative low carbon heating project for 164 homes.
Centred on the Denton Park House and Hilltop House tower blocks in the West Denton area of Newcastle, the £3.8m project will see the complete removal of the gas-powered central heating systems, and this will be replaced by ground source heat pumps (GSHP).
GSHPs work by drilling holes deep into the ground and harnessing natural heat from underground by pumping water through it in pipes. The heat pump then increases the temperature, and the heat is used to provide home heating or hot water. The new low carbon technology will not only support decarbonisation efforts in the city, but the benefit to residents include lower energy bills thanks to the complete removal of the old gas system.
Will Kay, Regional Managing Director at EQUANS, said: “Partnering with YHN to install ground source heat pumps at Denton and Hilltop is another example of our ability to deliver innovative net zero solutions which enhances the lives of residents, to provide warmer homes and reducing their energy bills.
“This is one of several projects we have in Newcastle and we’re pleased to be supporting the council’s town wide ambitions around decarbonisation by bringing our broad expertise to the table.”
David Langhorne, YHN’s Assets and Development Director, said: “YHN manages around 26,000 properties for Newcastle City Council, so it is vital we play our part in reducing the city’s carbon footprint. We are committed to supporting the council’s ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and this project is one of several we’re trialling across the stock we manage to assess which pilots will be most effective.”
The work is being supported by partners Newcastle City Council, which secured £1.4m from the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive to help fund the scheme.
Cllr Clare Penny-Evans, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Public Safety, said: “Housing is one of the most challenging areas when it comes to achieving our net zero ambitions, with homes in the UK producing more carbon emissions than all the cars in the country combined.
“Existing, older homes are by far the worst polluters, and with over 80% of the homes people will live in in the city in 2050 already built we know we need to take decisive action, retrofitting properties to improve their energy efficiency.
“We are working on a programme to improve our own housing stock and this project is key to that, with new low carbon heating systems and projects to improve insulation also helping to reduce energy demand.
“It is incredibly positive to see how the council, YHN and EQUANS are helping to deliver not only greener, cleaner and more sustainable housing, but offer opportunities for young people to work in partnership with industry, understand new technologies and grasp the opportunities presented by the new green economy, learning skills and knowledge that will hopefully benefit our city for years to come.”
Header image shows from left to right: David Langhorne (YHN Assets and Development Director), Will Kay (EQUANS Regional Managing Director North East), Cllr Clare Penny-Evans (Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Public Safety at Newcastle City Council), and Tim Wood (EQUANS Director of Sustainability (North).
