The project aims to ‘deliver a cleaner, more sustainable city’
Work is progressing as part of the Hull Heat Network(Image: Vital Energy)
A major project that will provide low-carbon heating and hot water to businesses and organisations across Hull city centre is gathering pace, with roadworks supporting the project now in place until early September.
The Hull Heat Network construction work means George Street is closed from Wilberforce Drive to Freetown Way junctions. Access to Charlotte Street Mews will be via a reversed one-way access from Grimston Street. The work has started and council workers expect them to be completed by Sunday, September 6.
This latest stage of the major project is seeing the installation of an underground pipework that will transfer heat from a central energy centre, currently under construction on Trippett Street, to city centre buildings.
Whilst these works are underway, the George Street car park will remain open and unaffected. The work will be limited, taking place between 7.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday. However, some overnight or weekend work may be required, a Hull City Council spokesperson said.
He warned the works are weather dependent, and the dates are subject to change. And residents and businesses should plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time whilst the works are underway.
Delivering a cleaner and more sustainable city
Chris Jackson, Executive Director for Regeneration & Partnerships at Hull City Council, explained the Hull Heat Network could have a transformational impact in how people and businesses access warmth and energy.
He said: “These works are an important step towards delivering a cleaner, more sustainable city. We are working to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and thank residents and businesses for their patience while we conduct these essential works.”
Contractor Vital Energi are delivering the Hull Heat Network project in partnership with Hull City Council and backed by investment from the Green Heat Network Fund, Levelling Up Partnership, and the National Wealth Fund.
The project will supply heat to thirty-eight buildings during the first phase of the project and is set to deliver an estimated 110,000 tonnes of CO2 savings over forty years.
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Some have argued the scheme does not go far enough. Dr Kevin Paulson, a retired academic and and Hull Carbon Neutral 2030 campaign coordinator said: “District heating schemes have made a major contribution to Copenhagen’s carbon neutral transition.
“However, these schemes recycle waste heat, whereas Hull’s scheme relies on heat pumps in a new building on Trippett Street. This severely limits the benefits of the system. District heating schemes could better benefit the people of Hull if built in areas where waste heat is currently released into the environment, like in Saltend.”
The roll-out to private businesses and other households would be crucial, he explained.
Demonstrating affordable, stable energy
A Hull and East Riding Green Party spokesperson welcomed the latest stage of the Hull Heat Network, and said: “It is fantastic for our city to be truly committed to a serious decarbonisation project which will be publicly owned. This first phase will hopefully demonstrate the affordable, stable energy needed for our most vulnerable residents as well as businesses.”
The Green spokesperson added it was crucial to make the system accessible: “We would absolutely like to see this expand through other networks, the use of heat pumps is a proven and low carbon way to produce energy so having a way to expand this technology beyond those who can afford to retrofit units into their homes is an absolute must if we are to break from fossil fuels.”
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