Business and political leaders are welcoming plans to power the £60 million Goods Yard development in Stoke-on-Trent through a ground-breaking renewable energy network that harnesses the power of the earth.
They say pushing ahead with the District Heat Network (DHN) – which will ultimately tap into geothermal energy to supply heat and hot water – will see the city lead the way in green tech innovation and may help to attract new businesses.
The Goods Yard, Capital&Centric’s mixed residential, business and leisure site – currently under construction next to Stoke-on-Trent’s railway station and the Trent and Mersey Canal – will be connected to the DHN over the coming weeks.
The network is being installed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to provide a super low-carbon heat and hot water supply across the city.
It will, ultimately, draw its energy from natural geothermal reservoirs deep underground, accessing the planet’s natural heat to provide a highly sustainable, renewable energy resource.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council Leader Jane Ashworth said: “The District Heat Network could well be how Stoke-on-Trent shows the way to the rest of the UK.
“If we can harness the untapped energy under the city it would be a really important anchor for businesses looking to grow or invest here.
“At a time when sourcing energy and energy prices are so unstable it is a massive factor for companies when deciding where to set up.
“Stoke-on-Trent would be a very attractive place for those concerned about the drive to Net Zero and energy cost-effectiveness.”
Much of the DHN infrastructure has already been laid in the area stretching from Leek Road, near Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, to Shelton and will now be extended.
It is expected that the network will be in operation at the end of 2024 ahead of welcoming the first Goods Yard occupants. The network will use boilers initially but is set up for geothermal use.
Dr Scott Elliott, Chief Operating Officer at Hydrock and Chair of Staffordshire Chamber’s Energy and Sustainability Forum, said: “The Chamber welcomes the connection of the Goods Yard development to the District Heat Network allowing future residents of the development to access heat from a low zero carbon source.
“The establishment of DHNs across the UK will be a critical step forward towards the decarbonisation of heat and it’s great to see the city of Stoke-on-Trent leading the way with such an innovative network.”
The DHN will work by providing a closed-loop supply of heated water that can be used to power central heating, eventually reducing the need for gas and electricity powered boilers.
It is estimated that, over time, the DHN will offset up to 75% of carbon for buildings connected to it, compared to current systems.
Plans for the Goods Yard – being built on the former Swift House site – include 174 apartments, a café-bar, combined work and leisure spaces in restored and new buildings and a canalside jetty.
Tom Wilmot, Joint Managing Director of Capital&Centric, said: “This is a really exciting milestone for us. Delivery of Goods Yard is progressing at a rapid pace and linking-in up to the District Heat Network will ensure that the neighbourhood has a reliable, low-carbon source of energy when it opens.”
