Bristol Heat Network scoops up two prestigious industry awards

Vattenfall acquired the Bristol Heat Network 18 months ago as part of Bristol City Leap, a 20-year joint venture between Bristol City Council and Ameresco with Vattenfall as a subcontractor.

The first award was the Green Heat Project of the Year at Business Green’s annual UK Green Business Awards, where the Bristol Heat Network was hailed as a 'visionary collaboration' by the judges, who praised both the scale of the emissions savings and the project's ability to provide a template for other cities to follow. The judges also recognised how the partnership is playing a central role in Bristol's net zero plans and is harnessing a pioneering water source heat pump to deliver clean energy to homes, offices, and public buildings across the city.

The second saw success at the annual Association of Decentralised Energy Awards, where the project won the Heat Project award, where the project was commended for its huge, citywide approach and the fact that it prioritises social value and community engagement. It was also noted by the judges that the scale of ambition makes the project stand out and that it is leading the way in the heat network industry through its process of partnering, financing and expansion.

Bristol City Leap is committed to delivering at least £424 million of decarbonisation projects by 2029. However the latest plans for the partnership suggest that this could rise to £771 million, with over half of this investment coming from Vattenfall for the expansion of Bristol’s Heat Network.

There are now 30 commercial and residential buildings connected to the Bristol Heat Network, including Temple Fire Station, Central Health Clinic, Box Makers Yard apartment building, multiple social housing blocks and Hannah Moore Primary School. The network serves enough heat to supply the equivalent of more than 5,000 homes, with further connections in the pipeline.

One of the low carbon sources supplying heat to the network is England’s largest single harbour-based water source heat pump at Castle Park Energy Centre. Vattenfall has committed to decarbonising the Bristol Heat Network by 2030, making it fossil free.

Dom Barton, Director of Heat Networks, Bristol at Vattenfall Heat UK commented:

"We couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved as part of the Bristol City Leap partnership. It really is a blueprint for what other UK cities can achieve with a strong ambition for combatting climate change.

"These awards are testament to our hard working and passionate team who are working for fossil freedom as part of their daily work."