Monday 17 August 2020

Manchester’s new heat network project reaches key milestone

The final sections of the 40-metre high 'Tower of Light', which will act as the chimney for Manchester's new low carbon energy centre, have been installed.

The Manchester Civic Quarter Heat Network project will generate low carbon heat and power for the city, helping Manchester to reach its ambition of becoming zero-carbon by 2038 at the latest.

Containing a 3.3MW Combined Heat Power (CHP) engine and two 12MW gas boilers, the energy centre will generate electricity and harness the recovered heat from this process for distribution through a two-kilometre district heating network, which will supply heat for surrounding buildings.

The local authority says it will initially serve seven buildings and has the potential to grow by connecting further buildings across the city centre in the future.

The scheme is also projected to save an initial 1,600 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

Manchester City Council's Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport, Councillor Angeliki Stogia, said: "The Tower of Light is an impressive new landmark for Manchester and a symbol of Manchester's aim of becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038 at the latest.

"On completion, the Civic Quarter Heat Network project will realise significant carbon savings, supporting the council's current plan to halve its own emissions by 2025 - which will be an important milestone on the road to the city meeting its ambitious goal."