Wolverhampton City Council has launched a new energy centre on Heath Town estate to replace ageing heating infrastructure and support the estate's continued growth.
The facility, delivered by Wolverhampton Homes and United Infrastructure on behalf of the council, uses modern technology including 48 roof-mounted evaporators serving air source heat pumps, combined with hydrogen-ready boilers. The system is believed to be only the second of its kind in Europe.
The energy centre serves as the hub for the estate's heat network, which supplies heating to all properties on Heath Town. The previous boiler house was approaching the end of its working life, with replacement parts and repairs becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.
Funding and investment
The project represents a £19.5 million investment in the heating network. The government has provided £7.5 million through the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme, with the remainder funded by the council's Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme.
Ian Gardner, Director of Housing Operations at Wolverhampton Homes, said the facility was "shaped through ongoing engagement with residents" and provides "modern, reliable energy infrastructure that supports homes across the community."
Gardner added that the innovative systems installed will reduce carbon emissions by over 500 tonnes per year.
Future capacity and improvements
The new energy centre is designed to meet current heating demand more efficiently while providing capacity to serve new homes as Heath Town continues to develop.
Councillor Steve Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets, said the investment would "provide a more reliable, efficient and sustainable heat network for residents" and support "the continued growth of Heath Town in the years ahead as we build more new homes on the estate."
The project forms part of wider improvements across the estate, including new homes and major renovations to existing residential blocks.