Three office buildings in Prince Dock in Liverpool Waters will be the first to benefit from a multi-million pound low carbon district heat network. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool Waters says its three office buildings in Prince Dock will be the first to be connected to its multi-million pound low carbon district heat network.
Due to become operational in autumn 2024, the heat network has been built by Liverpool Waters owner Peel Group to supply heating and hot water to homes and businesses across the waterfront estate.
Heat networks, common in countries such as Denmark, have been identified by the UK Government as a crucial part of how the UK will reach net zero and one of the most cost-effective ways of decarbonising heating in built up areas.
Using a water source heat pump to heat buildings is three times more efficient than using electricity for heating and has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%.
The energy centre, currently under construction and set to complete in the autumn, will have the capacity to provide low carbon heat and hot water through the Mersey Heat network, to thousands of homes and businesses.
Businesses based at No 8, No 10, and No 12 Princes Dock will be the first to be connected to the network. They have already been verified as net zero for three years running.
One of the UK’s largest water source heat pumps will be located at the energy centre. It will draw water from the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and provide heat and hot water via the 6km heat network.
Last year, renewable energy company, Vital Energi was appointed by Peel NRE to design and build the energy centre off Great Howard Street, which is expected to be complete by September 2024.
Led by Peel NRE’s district heat network specialist, Ener-Vate, the Mersey Heat network is set to become a major part of Liverpool’s low carbon energy infrastructure.
This initial phase of the project could supply 20GWh of heat every year with planning permission in place to expand the project to supply around 45GWh (the equivalent of supplying 17,000 new homes with heating and hot water).
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Liza Marco, senior asset manager at Liverpool Waters, said: “With construction of the new energy centre underway, it’s fantastic that we are now securing connections to the network from offices at Princes Dock.
“This is a highly desirable location for businesses, with a beautiful waterfront setting and access to a range of amenities but, at Liverpool Waters, we are also striving for excellence in sustainability and climate resilience.
“This is also a big priority for our tenants and our growing community, and so it is vital that we connect to this ambitious project right across the Liverpool Waters site to ensure the sustainable regeneration of Liverpool’s northern docklands.”