Extra funding for north London heat networks

The Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) has awarded £24m of funding to Energetik to support two major extensions of its community heat network across the London Borough of Enfield.

This brings the total support provided by HNIP to Energetik to just under £39mi, following an initial grant and loan award of over £14m for the construction of the Meridian Heat Network in 2020.

The additional funding will increase the network’s reach and enable Energetik to supply low carbon heat to over 50,000 homes, building on its previous forecast of 15,000 connections by 2026 and making this scheme the largest to be awarded HNIP funding to date.

The extensions will link together and significantly decarbonise all existing heat networks in the London Borough by connecting them to the upcoming Meridian Water energy centre at Edmonton Eco Park. The energy centre will connect to the North London Waste Authority Recovery Facility once complete in 2026, delivering very low carbon waste heat to customers through a network of underground district heating pipes.

The northwards extension will link the Meridian Water Heat Network with the existing Ponders End Heat Network, serving two new housing developments comprised of over 3,300 homes and the civic centre building in Enfield Town. The westwards extension will follow the route towards the Arnos Grove Heat Network, heading north towards the Oakwood Heat Network and connecting two care homes along the way.

These extensions are a strategic step forward for Energetik, maximising the long-term decarbonisation potential by allowing more homes and buildings to benefit from heat that would otherwise be wasted.

Energy Minister Lord Callanan said:“Changing how we heat homes and workplaces is a vital part of how we will end our contribution to climate change, which is why we’re investing in cutting-edge low-carbon heating technologies to help us meet our bold climate targets.

“Thanks to this Energetik project, backed by a further £24m of government funding, up to 50,000 households across north London are going to feel the direct benefits as we continue making our towns and cities cleaner places to live and work.”