In the UK, we need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by transitioning to low carbon and renewable energy sources for homes and businesses. The heating sector contributes 37% of the country’s annual carbon emissions[1], with residential heating alone responsible for 18%[2] of greenhouse gas emissions.
Bristol is a leading city in the transition
Bristol is one of the most ambitious cities when it comes to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. What Vattenfall is doing here is a UK first, at this scale and this pace – a testament to the vision set out by the city and embraced by our team.
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Having been a first mover in declaring a climate emergency in November 2018, Bristol set an ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2030. Bristolians understand the climate challenge, with a long history of active participation. This is evident with 2493 community-based climate groups working to encourage community-owned energy assets, deploy energy efficiency initiatives, provide training and development, and offer sustained employment. Working together where possible, these initiatives will ensure we are building resilience in the community, as well as in our energy infrastructure.
Heat decarbonisation in Bristol forms an integral part of Bristol City Leap, a twenty-year partnership between Bristol City Council, Ameresco and Vattenfall. This partnership will deliver at least £1 billion of investment into Bristol’s energy system to support the city’s target of being climate resilient by 2030. Our role in Bristol City Leap is to expand the existing Bristol Heat Network and develop new networks, with the long-term goal of interconnecting them to serve the local community with reliable, low carbon heat.
Deploying resilient low carbon energy infrastructure
Heat networks are one of the most efficient low carbon solutions for delivering heating and hot water in urban areas. They distribute heat generated in a centralised location via a network of insulated, water filled pipes to a variety of buildings, including residential and commercial – replacing the need for individual, carbon intensive boiler systems.
Heat networks can be supplied with heat from a variety of sources, including drawing heat from places it would otherwise be wasted - such as the air, water and the ground.
Connecting to a heat network offers multiple benefits including the reduction of carbon emissions in operations, improved air quality in the local community, greater resilience in energy supply, and future proofed heating operations.
The workforce of the future
A skilled workforce is required to design, build and operate the Bristol Heat Network, helping the city to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. Over the next five years, the construction of the network will create 1,000 new jobs. Bristol City Leap may be a twenty-year partnership, but the low carbon heating will be operational for decades to come, meaning young people can build life-long locally based careers.
This infrastructure means Vattenfall will actively invest in the resilience of the local area, contributing to lasting economic growth and wellbeing. This requires active engagement with local communities, helping to inspire, educate and connect them to the opportunities as the industry develops. The result will be a workforce that is ready and enthusiastic about embracing these new solutions.
Across Vattenfall and the industry, initiatives are underway to support this effort. Our goal is to develop a clear and accessible career pathway into the heat networks sector for individuals in the communities we are working in. To attract and build a resilient workforce, we need to consider the entire journey, from school age through to career development, training while in employment, career changes and transitioning from other sectors.
Putting theory into practice
As we develop the heat network in Bristol, we’re actively working to reach young people of all ages. In primary schools, we’re supporting skills development through early career mentoring days, instilling a sense of pride and confidence in their future.
We have invited students to spend time with colleagues in the office and on site through work experience. For example, we have worked in conjunction with Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship, a programme delivered by the University of the West of England, designed to support young people from Black, Asian and racially minoritised backgrounds into the emerging Green Sector.
Alongside the City of Bristol College, our contractor Thermamech and our wider supply chain, we are working to establish apprenticeships for young individuals from diverse backgrounds in the local community, to focus on practical skills and empower students into work.
Vattenfall is committed to supporting the growth of a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to deliver the Bristol Heat Network, supporting the local community as it develops. We believe that working towards fossil freedom is only possible through collaboration and we're grateful to Bristol-based partners, stakeholders, and organisations for enabling us to inspire the future workforce.
Sophie Pearce is Communications and Stakeholder Engagement specialist at Vattenfall Heat UK
Notes
[1] Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Heat networks market overview, Updated July 2024 (space heating and cooling 37%, industrial heat 14%, hot water 4%, cooking 2%)
[2] 2021 figures, quoted here Decarbonising home heating - Committee of Public Accounts (parliament.uk)
[3] Meet Bristol's young 'nature heroes' fighting for a greener world - BBC News
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Hello Steve yes I did that same calculation with the 44/12 factor. I suppose the balance, perhaps the pyro-oil - (which is nasty stuff) is combusted...