SSE Energy Solutions (SSE), has signed an agreement to collaborate with Darlington Borough Council (DBC) to support the development of a town-wide heat network.

While the project is in the early stages of development, SSE's current plans include constructing an Energy Centre containing large air source heat pumps (ASHPs) which will be located in Darlington Town Centre. The collaboration could see the production of a network of connections formed between council buildings and other significant sites including, potentially, government, hospital, university and college buildings, as well as future mixed-use developments.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties sets out a joint vision for the development of a network. The agreement includes a shared ambition for SSE to apply to the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) in the next funding window.

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DBC last year revised its target for reaching net zero across its estate, bringing it forward by a decade to 2040. The actions the council has taken so far have successfully reduced its carbon emissions by over 50% and it believes the agreement with SSE will accelerate low carbon investment in Darlington, as well as creating skilled jobs and driving local economic revival.

SSE has positioned itself at the heart of the clean energy transition with one of the largest investment programmes in the FTSE-100. Under the Net Zero Acceleration Programme Plus, the company is investing £20.5bn in green energy projects over the next five years.

According to recent government figures, heat networks are projected to meet 20% of the country's heat demand by 2050 and are seen as a crucial component in the UK's strategy to decarbonise heating, which currently accounts for 37% of CO2 emissions. It believes this could attract between £80-£100bn of investment into the UK.

Jody Pittaway, heat sector director at SSE Energy Solutions, said: "The partnership we are announcing with Darlington Borough Council will support the Development process for the heat network by helping us engage with many of the potential low carbon heat offtakers within Darlington Town Centre. We have already had many promising conversations with building owners across Darlington and this agreement will help us take that engagement to the next level.

"DBC has set clear targets for decarbonisation and its economic growth agenda will only be boosted by our Social Value strategy which is designed to champion a fair and just energy transition."