Cash boost for new Shoreham energy network

Ambitious plans to create a heat network to supply hundreds of homes and commercial buildings have received a major funding boost.

Adur District Council has secured nearly £164,000 from the government to develop a detailed proposal to create a centralised publicly-owned energy hub in the Shoreham Harbour area.

The aim is to supply heating for new housing and commercial buildings from a central source via a series of underground pipes carrying hot water, avoiding the need for individual boilers or electric heaters in every building. 

The result would be a cost-effective heat distribution network that delivers energy efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, carbon reduction and protection against fuel poverty.

It comes just weeks afterAdur District Council declared a climate emergency and committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Councillor Angus Dunn, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Finance and Resources, said: “This funding is a real vote of confidence in the sustainable agenda that we are driving forward with our communities.

“Heat networks are sometimes described as ‘central heating for cities’, having the potential to provide clean, green energy to homes and offices, saving money on bills and maintenance while protecting our environment.

“Crucially this also means there is direct control over our power supply, ensuring that buildings in this area are resilient moving forward.”

Adur District Council secured the grant from the government’s Heat Networks Delivery Unit, which was established to provide funding and guidance to local authorities in England and Wales on developing schemes.

The money will be used to progress plans so that a detailed proposal can be delivered within the coming years.

Funding will also allow experts to detail what type of technology is suitable for the Shoreham Harbour scheme, with a marine source heat pump among the possibilities.

Buildings which could link up the network include new developments along the Western Harbour Arm and former Adur Civic Centre, as well as existing social housing and community buildings.

The heat network forms part of the wider Shoreham Harbour Joint Area Action Plan, which will guide development in the area and is due for adoption later this month.

Investigating a heat network for Shoreham is part of the work to decarbonise Adur and Worthing under the council’s Sustainability Framework: Sustainable AW.