Heat network scheme awarded £15.5m

A company developing low-carbon heating networks has been awarded £15.5m to supply civic and commercial buildings in Lincoln city centre.

The government has given the money to Hemiko via its Green Heat Network Fund, which invests in innovative heating projects to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.

The heat network scheme in Lincoln will involve distributing waste heat from a data centre, using air source heat pumps to warm water that will run through underground pipes to customers.

A Hemiko spokesperson said the project would create 40 local jobs over the first five years of the network being built, with construction expected to begin in spring 2026 if plans are approved.

Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: "Heat networks will play an important role in our mission for clean power by 2030, helping us to achieve energy independence and lower bills."

Initial proposals for the scheme, detailed on the government's website, show 34 buildings in Lincoln could benefit from the project including a hospital, college, cathedral and council offices.

A planning application is yet to be submitted.

The company said it planned to build a new data centre to "meet the data needs of Lincoln's businesses, while supplying cheap low carbon heat to the heat network".

It is hoped supply to the first set of customers will start in 2027.

CEO Toby Heysham said the scheme would lead to a "remarkable transformation in Lincoln".

He said: "By drawing heat for the network from a co-located data centre, this project represents a dual revolution: the green industrial revolution and the tech revolution.

"It's wonderful to see these initiatives working hand in hand to drive growth, create local jobs and attract investment into Lincoln's economy."

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