Swansea could soon be following in Sweden’s footsteps by putting district heating networks in place across the city.
A report prepared by Swedish consultants has been put together to assess the feasibility of introducing district heating networks in Swansea that would help save money and cut down on carbon emissions.
District heating means the provision of heat in the form of hot water or steam from a central source to a number of locations through a network of underground pipes. It’s a sparsely used system in the UK but Sweden has over 50 years experience in its use.
The report suggests a short-term, start-up solution in Swansea that would see the Civic Centre and National Waterfront Museum connected to the LC. The report says the LC boilers have sufficient spare capacity to become the heat sources for all three buildings but that exiting gas boilers would remain as back-up sources.
Such a scheme could result in cutting carbon emissions at the three buildings by about a quarter.
The report also recommends a district heating network being set up in the Singleton area to incorporate Singleton Hospital, Swansea University and the Wales National Pool which could connect with the city centre network in time.
Additional proposals could see a stand-alone district heating network for Morriston and a new boiler in the east of Swansea as an additional supply source for the expanding network that would accommodate future city centre redevelopment. The Morriston network could potentially connect Morriston Hospital, the DVLA, Morriston Comprehensive School and the Felindre industrial development area.
The report also says there are also major opportunities in the long-term to recover waste industrial heat from Baglan Bay and Port Talbot areas.
The report was compiled thanks to funding from the Swedish government and the Welsh Assembly Government’s Regeneration Area programme.
Swansea Council’s Cabinet is now being asked to approve the seeking of external funds to help deliver the start-up solution.
Phil Holmes, Swansea Council’s Head of Economic Regeneration and Planning, said: “Putting district heating networks in place in Swansea would help cut down on carbon emissions and save millions of pounds in the long-term. It would also make our city a leader in terms of sustainable and environmental best practice.
“The scheme also has potential to increase the social and economic benefits to Swansea by attracting investment and green job creation.
“But the current financial climate means we’re not in a position to make a financial commitment to the scheme and this is why, with Cabinet’s permission, we’ll look for external funds to help cover the costs of the start-up solution and will investigate the opportunity to work alongside a private sector energy company to deliver the longer-term vision.”
Sweden has a long tradition for using district heating in urban areas. The city of Växjö reduced its fossil fuel consumption by 30% in 1993 to 2006 and is now fast-approaching a 50% reduction. This has largely been achieved thanks to biomass fired district heating.
