Katie White OBE MP, Minister for Climate, recently toured the award-winning Leeds PIPES heat network, visiting key sites across the city to explore how the scheme has delivered outstanding decarbonisation and financial savings whilst acting as a catalyst for green job creation, skills development, and social value initiatives.
Her visit included stops at key buildings connected to the heat network, including Leeds Civic Hall and Leeds Beckett University, where she heard how connecting to the heat network reduced their carbon emissions by approximately 500 tonnes per year, whilst reducing energy costs by around £250,000 per year.
The tour then moved on to the Cross Green Energy Centre, which takes excess heat from the nearby Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility (RERF). The tour showcased the technologies and processes that convert waste heat into usable, low-temperature hot water and distributes it throughout the city.
Climate Minister Katie White said: “Leeds PIPES is a shining example of how local leadership and innovation can deliver real progress on the path to net zero. This pioneering heat network, delivered by the council and Vital Energi, is not only cutting the emissions of home and commercial heating, but also creating hundreds of good jobs for local people, and driving investment into the community.
“I was delighted to see first-hand how waste is being harnessed to bring clean power to Leeds as part of the government’s clean energy superpower mission.”
The Minister was joined on her visit by Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley.
Also in attendance was a delegation from Vital Energi including Ian Whitelock – CEO, Mike
Cooke – Managing Director, Abby Whitelock – Marketing & Communications Director,
and Mike Worrall – Project Director.
Leeds City Council were represented by Joe Callin – Project Manager, Andrew Lingham – Senior Project Manager, and Councillor Katie Dye – Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee.
Mike Cooke, Managing Director of Vital Energi, added: “The Leeds PIPES Project is about harnessing waste heat to deliver decarbonisation, but it’s also about people. From the pipes in the ground to the construction of the energy centre, we’ve worked with the council to create 450 jobs in total and training opportunities with local education institutions, bringing people into the green energy sector and spending money with local businesses.
“These projects are developed for the community and to bring wider benefits to the people of Leeds and not just the key iconic buildings and homes connected. It has been great that the Minister for Climate has taken such a keen interest in Heat Networks, and we are hopeful that this is a strong indicator from the Government as to how important Heat Networks are to reducing the UK’s emissions.”
