London’s latest £85m district heating infrastructure is taking shape in Enfield and will be delivered by Vital Energi on behalf of energetik, the energy company owned by Enfield Council.
The new district heating network will accommodate up to 30,000 homes and businesses, including the £6bn Meridian Water development. energetik want to revolutionise the local energy market and improve the reputation of district heating, in a currently unregulated market, to ensure customers receive a quality service.
Vital Energi will design, build, operate and maintain the main energy centre for Meridian Water and install the district heating network over the next 12 years, under a contract worth £15m. This heat network is part of an integrated energy and regeneration strategy in Enfield that will interconnect with energetik’s other networks at Arnos Grove and Ponders End.
Enfield Council is committed to cutting carbon emissions in the borough by 40% by 2020, and the carbon footprint of homes connected to the energetik network will be up to 80% less than homes with conventional heating. The scheme underpins Enfield’s regeneration ambitions for the future and will provide £225m of economic, environmental and social benefits to local residents and businesses whilst creating new jobs in the area.
Rob Callaghan, Regional Director (London & South) for Vital Energi commented: “We are very excited to be working on a project of this magnitude in London. With energetik’s ambitious vision, we look forward to changing the perception of district heating and showcasing the benefits that energy networks can bring to a local community.”
Jayne Clare, energetik’s Managing Director added: “The work that Vital Energi will undertake on behalf of energetik delivers the strategic infrastructure that will help to secure Enfield’s energy needs for decades to come. Implementing our specification to the standard we expect challenges the norm of district heating practices. So we are very happy to have such experienced partners in Vital Energi, helping us raise the bar for our customers and the wider industry.”
Vital Energi and energetik will work together to provide low-cost, low-carbon, reliable heating for the residents of Enfield and look forward to connecting the first customers to the scheme later in 2017.