E.ON is eyeing a “multi-million pound” expansion to Sheffield’s district heating network

E.ON is aiming to more than double the size of its existing district heating network in Sheffield with a “multi-million pound” investment to connect more households and businesses to low-carbon heat sources in the Don Valley area .

The existing district heating scheme is powered by E.ON’s Blackburn Meadows thermal power station, which uses recycled wood waste sourced from the UK to generate 30MW of electricity and 25MW of heat to power up to 69,000 homes and enterprises.

But the energy giant yesterday unveiled proposals that would extend the eight kilometer network by adding a further 10 kilometers of pipes to connect new customers to the network and potentially use new low-carbon and cost-effective heating sources that would otherwise could be wasted.

E.ON said it could submit a planning application for the extended scheme to Sheffield City Council by the end of this summer and aims to launch a consultation program with local residents in the coming weeks.

If planning permission were granted, construction on the project would begin late next year, with full operations not expected until late 2028 or later, according to the company.

Chris Lovatt, chief operating officer for E.ON’s energy infrastructure solutions business, said heat networks provide a more efficient and cost-effective means of providing heat to urban areas.

“Whether it’s tackling the climate crisis, cleaning up the air on city streets or weaning the UK off fossil fuels to avoid the impact of volatile global gas markets, we need to find new and cleaner ways to heat our homes and businesses,” Lovatt said. .

“Heat networks like ours in the Lower Don Valley allow us to do that. We are the players in creating a more sustainable Kingdom through projects like this, and with Sheffield’s bold steps to become a zero-emissions city by 2050, we are looking to expand. the route of our district heating network to play a role in this ambition.

“As part of our continued investment in the city, we will look to create over 2,000 green jobs in the region, as well as improving public spaces – leaving every space we touch better than when we found it.”

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