We've been awarded £1.6 million towards the cost of installing heat pumps in three of our key buildings.
The funding has been received from the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and will be used to replace most of the current old heating systems in the Civic Office building in Fleet, Frogmore Leisure Centre and The Harlington, Fleet.
Replacing fossil fuel heating systems with more sustainable energy sources is essential in helping to reduce a building’s carbon footprint.
Councillor Richard Quarterman, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Corporate Services, said: “Our commitment to becoming a carbon neutral council by 2035 is at the forefront of our work and we are always looking for ways to improve our energy efficiency. We’re thrilled to have been successful in our bid for funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
“This funding allows us to invest in more sustainable energy sources for the buildings we own. The project will run alongside other initiatives in our climate change action plan to take us closer to our carbon neutrality goals.”
It is anticipated that this installation will reduce these buildings’ annual carbon emissions by approximately 240 tonnes per year, the equivalent of filling 240 hot air balloons. Heat pumps rely on electricity to operate, so the Council will also look at ways to utilise electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix. The Salix teams will work with the Council on this part of their decarbonisation journey.
Salix Director of Programmes Ian Rodger said: “We look forward to working with the council on this project, which will not only make these three buildings more energy efficient but more comfortable places in which to work and enjoy.”
To find out more about what we're are doing to tackle climate change, visit their website to see the recently published climate change update report.