Member Article

Operator for green energy centre

E.ON has announced plans to partner with New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC) to deliver a new low carbon community of 1,800 homes in the Scotswood area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The energy company has signed a commercial agreement to provide heat and hot water to the new build homes through a district heating network that comprises combined heat and power (CHP) technology. This will reduce carbon emissions by up to 35 per cent and deliver significant energy cost savings for the residents on lifetime heating and hot water costs*.

Jeremy Bungey, Head of Community Energy at E.ON, said: “This latest example of our community energy schemes is set to help transform Scotswood into a prime example of an energy efficient community. We have similar partnerships throughout the country to fund and deliver community energy programmes in areas that are in most need of investment and regeneration. Through our first community energy project in the North East, we’re helping to make decentralised energy a more viable and accessible form of heating and hot water.”

Duncan Bowman, Development Director NTWDC – the organisation redeveloping Scotswood - said: “An energy centre serving a site of this scale will be the first of its kind in the north, demonstrating the ambition and environmental responsibility being applied to this project. This is another important step forward in the transformation of this neighbourhood into a vibrant and sustainable community where households will enjoy reduced fuel bills.”

“We are really pleased to be partnering with E.ON to improve the quality of life for residents and this is another fantastic example of how the collaboration of the public and private sectors can do that.”

Construction of the energy centre, on the site of the old abattoir on Whitehouse Road, is expected to begin in the spring. Once commissioned, it will be capable of providing hot water and heating to all 1,800 homes on the 66 hectare site. In addition it will ensure all houses reach level 4 of the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes.

The longer term aim is that, once around 600 homes are completed, the centre will become a combined heat and power plant, meaning Scotswood will have its own neighbourhood electricity generating plant.

Local residents’ groups have been briefed about and welcome the energy centre. Cllr. Hazel Stephenson said: “It’s a tremendous idea, environmentally friendly and providing low cost heating for residents. It’s another reason for people to join us here in the Scotswood community.”

NTWDC is a public/private joint venture partnership comprising Newcastle City Council and developers Barratt, Keepmoat and Yuill. Over the next 15 years it plans to invest £265 million in the venture. Of the 1,800 sustainable homes – up to 25% of will be affordable homes for rent and shared ownership, owned and managed by Tees Valley Housing – part of the Fabrick Group. There will, also be new community and commercial facilities, together with parks and public open spaces.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .