Energy Centre Taking Shape

Installation of an innovative heating network in South Tyneside is entering its final phases, with construction of the energy centre well underway.

The Hebburn Renewable Energy Scheme is progressing at pace, with the 272-metre pipe network and other infrastructure already complete.

The steel framework has been installed and now the internal build is progressing with floor slabs being poured and internal drainage complete.

The network will initially connect to residential tower block Durham Court and Hebburn Central leisure centre, cutting carbon emissions by around 319 tonnes a year.

The energy centre will house air to water source heat pumps, which will take ambient heat from the air and convert it into hot water to provide low carbon heating.

Cllr Ernest Gibson, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, said: "The energy centre is the final piece of the jigsaw for this ambitious renewable energy scheme and it's really starting to take shape.

"We're expecting the system to be up and running by the end of this year, and to begin fuelling buildings with sustainable heat. More buildings will be added into the network in the future.

"This scheme is going to make a significant contribution to a cleaner, greener Borough and our move towards carbon neutrality.

"We will continue to invest and innovate using cutting-edge technology to meet our energy demands in a sustainable way."

The new centre, being built by Vital Energi, will include a viewing platform to allow visitors to get a first-hand experience of the innovative process.

Kieran Walsh, Contracts Manager at Vital Energi, said: "We're proud to be progressing the works with South Tyneside Council on such a visionary project which will make a big contribution to them meeting their carbon reduction targets."

Electricity generated locally using solar panels and a Combined Heat and Power Unit will be used to help power the system.

The centre is to be named after the late Professor Paul Younger, an internationally-renowned scientist who was born in Hebburn.

The scheme, which secured over £3.9million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund, has been developed in collaboration with the Coal Authority and Durham University.