Tuesday 5 May 2020

Renewable heating scheme to harness heat from the River Tyne to warm buildings

South Tyneside Council has approved an innovative heating scheme that would extract heat from the River Tyne and warm 11 council-owned buildings in Jarrow, South Tyneside.

The Viking Energy Network is expected to cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 1,475 tonnes and save around half a million pounds a year.

It will combine a river source heat pump, a combined heat and power (CHP) back-up system, a 1MW solar farm and a private wire electrical network with storage battery.

The pump is scheduled to be installed and connected to the network by March next year.

Ed Malcolm, Lead Member for Resources and Innovation, said: "It makes sense to approve the early purchase of the water source heat pump and to enable the council to meet the timescales to benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive.

"This district heating system is highly innovative; it will be the first of its kind in the country and we're keen to drive it forward."