First homes connected to Cardiff heat network

Scott Harbour in Cardiff Bay, Wales, has become the first residential building in Cardiff to receive sustainable heat and hot water from the low-carbon district heat network.

The former office block was recently converted into 78 council-owned apartments and now provides social housing in the city. As well as modern new accommodation, residents are now also enjoying sustainable heat and hot water.

Sustainable source of heat and hot water

Cardiff Heat Network captures heat from steam already produced as a by-product of the process that powers electricity-generating turbines at Viridor’s Trident Park Energy Recovery Facility. The heat is then transported through a network of highly insulated pipes to buildings across Cardiff Bay, where it provides a sustainable source of heat and hot water.

“The heat network provides customers with an affordable, reliable and sustainable source of heat and hot water and has the scope to expand further over time,” said cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning and transport, councillor Dan De’Ath. “The moment a building connects, it eliminates the need for gas boilers and delivers an 80 per cent cut in carbon emissions.

“The moment a building connects, it eliminates the need for gas boilers and delivers an 80 per cent cut in carbon emissions”

“It’s a complicated project to deliver, but an incredibly simple idea at heart – capturing heat that already exists but is currently wasted and transporting it to where it can be used instead of burning fossil fuels.

“What we’ve built is the first city-scale network of its kind in Wales. It represents a significant investment in the long-term infrastructure needed to ensure we play our part in tackling the global challenge of climate change, and build a stronger, fairer, greener Cardiff.”