COVENTRY’S Heatline district energy scheme was visited by the Minister of State for nature and local MP, to learn about the expansion of the scheme.
Mary Creagh visited the heat network is the first of its kind in the UK which uses excess heat to provide low-carbon heat into buildings in the city.
The network, operated by Bring Energy, currently uses heat from a nearby waste processing facility and channels it through an 8km underground pipe network to heat buildings such as Coventry Cathedral and The Wave Waterpark.
Mary met with representatives from Coventry University, Coventry City Council, and Bring Energy’s Executive Chairman Richard Burrell to tour the network and learn about how it could make use of new sources of heat in future.
One option included extracting heat from water in formerly flooded mines just outside of the city centre, in combination with large-scale heat pumps.
Under the second phase of development, the network is set to be connected to nine of Coventry University’s building.
By joining the network, the University’s carbon emissions could be reduced by more than 1,300 tonnes per year, which is over a fifth of its annual carbon emissions.
The project is a collaborative scheme between Coventry University and Bring Energy, supported by Coventry City Council in their roles as local authority and concession employer.
The government has committed to expanding heat networks to supply 20 per cent of the country’s heating by 2050.
Backed by the potential for £50billion in investment and the creation of up to 35,000 jobs, this goal will help regenerate regions and support local economies.
Richard Burrell, executive chairman Bring Energy, said: “Bring Energy is committed to transforming the way communities access heat.
“We’re proud to pioneer sustainable and efficient networks in Coventry. By harnessing local resources and employing local people, we aim to make low-carbon heating accessible and help bridge the gap to net zero.”
Reflecting on the visit, Mary Creagh said: “I was delighted to visit Bring Energy’s Heatline project and learn how untapped sources of heat across the city can be harnessed to improve energy security and heat local homes and businesses.
“Decarbonising heat is a major challenge in the UK, so it’s exciting to see Coventry taking steps forward.
“By capturing heat that would otherwise be wasted—whether from waste processing, data centres, or even geothermal sources in former mines—projects like Heatline are showing how innovative, local solutions can create cleaner, more resilient cities across Britain.”
