The first properties should benefit from a money-saving geothermal heat source project in Stoke-on-Trent by 2028, it has been revealed.
However, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has also said it will take 25 to 30 years to completely roll out the District Heat Network (DHN) based on the time needed to fully install the required infrastructure and introduce technology.
So far, 4km of pipes have been laid in the Stoke and Shelton area and the current proposal would deliver 49GWh a year of heat energy – 4GWh more than originally proposed.
Work is now ongoing with specialist energy companies SSE and GT/Star Energy to roll out the next phase of the low carbon scheme, which has so far created more than 30 jobs – with more in the pipeline.
The details emerged following a call from businesses, backed by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, for clarification on the progress of the DHN.
Earlier this month, questions were posed by Waterworld Group Chairman Mo Chaudry in a Daily Focus column about what is happening with the scheme and how Stoke-on-Trent City Council is planning to deliver it.
The Chamber says pushing ahead with the DHN is a priority because it can serve as a catalyst for business expansion, as well as a huge incentive for other companies and organisations to move to the city.
Staffordshire Chambers Policy Adviser Declan Riddell said: “We believe that a DHN will help to lower energy costs for local businesses whilst making a significant saving of CO2 per annum, helping to support Net Zero aspirations, as well as supporting construction jobs.
“We note that Stoke on Trent City Council has ‘substantial plans for growth over the next four years to exploit the base capacity of the geothermal well under the city’.
“We’ll be keeping a close watch on developments to ensure that growth is maintained and that our city will gain from a District Heat Network, even if this is a longer-term gain.”
How the District Heat Network will operate
Official information published about the District Heat Network 10 years ago said that it would provide 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 added that 45GWh per annum could be produced, lowering energy costs by up to 10 per cent and creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs to support it.
In a new update, a council spokesperson said the geothermal heat source should start to be available through the DHN by around 2028 and would ultimately produce 49GWh every year.
But, they said, it would take 25 years or more to grow the network fully – mainly because the time needed to plan and install infrastructure, while minimising traffic disruption.
They added that there were “substantial plans for growth over the next four years to exploit the base capacity of the geothermal well under the city”.
In the interim period, heat sources used to power the growing network could include traditional boilers using biogas, oil, combined heat and power units.
The Council said it was keen to ensure as many local sources of heat can be tapped into. This could include recovering waste heat from sites such as the Energy Recovery Facility at Hanford.
Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability confirmed: “To date, we have already laid approximately 4,000 meters of pipe in Stoke and Shelton and connected up the new Goods Yard development.
“The original scheme was based on 45GWh, the current proposal is to deliver customers an estimated 49GWh.
“By connecting to this Heat Network, customers can expect stable heat costs. This will be part of the long-term plan (25-30 years) and will help reduce the reliance on volatile gas and electricity markets.
“The project, at this stage, has created a significant number of jobs in design and construction, with around 30 jobs in construction and two other permanent roles.”
