Charles Quinn, the council’s portfolio holder for the environment, says the project will make a difference to air quality in the city centre.
“It will reduce carbon emissions by over 100,000 tonnes over the next 40 years. That’s the equivalent of 55,000 cars being taken off the road,” he says.
“But we’re seeing now, as transport becomes cleaner, gas boilers are becoming the leading cause of air pollution in a lot of cities.
“Buildings connected to the heat network instead will improve air quality locally in Hull.”
Quinn also says it will provide a source of income for the local authority.
“The council will be providing heat to external customers, [which means there will be] more money to be spent on other council services, so residents will see improvement in other council services as a result.”
Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, and watch the latest episode of Look North.