Leading energy and
services specialist, ENGIE, has launched a high profile new carbon-reduction
energy centre in Newcastle

A high profile new district
energy centre is being officially launched by ENGIE UK, in partnership with
Newcastle City Council.

The official launch event,
which took place on Wednesday, January 15, saw the district energy centre –
which forms part of a wider £20m low carbon scheme within the City – further
boosting Newcastle’s commitment to tackling climate change by saving more than
30,000 tonnes of carbon over 40 years.

The facility on the
flagship Newcastle Helix site, will use a 5km network of underground pipes to
supply heating and cooling to 10 buildings and up to 450 homes on site.

Using heat and power
created through the use of low carbon and cost-effective energy solutions,
including natural gas fired CHP (Combined Heat and Power), the centre also generates
chilled water and cooling facilities and electricity to neighbouring buildings.

It’s hoped the new centre
will be the first of many innovative energy projects resulting from the
Regenerate Newcastle Partnership; a joint venture between ENGIE and Newcastle
City Council, to develop and operate district energy schemes within the City
over a 40-year term.

Nicola Lovett, Chief
Executive of ENGIE UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be marking the
completion of the new Helix Energy Centre, the first of what we hope will be
many innovative low carbon energy projects delivered by our long-term
partnership with Newcastle City Council.

“With local authorities
playing an increasingly key role in the drive to reduce the UK’s carbon
emissions, ENGIE is committed to using its expertise to support Newcastle with
its climate goals and on its journey to becoming a zero carbon city by
2030.â€� 

The centre has been made
possible with funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and
the Government’s Local Growth Deal through the North East Local Enterprise
Partnership.

Leader of Newcastle City
Council, Cllr Nick Forbes, said: “Climate change is the biggest threat to our
planet so it’s incumbent on all of us to do what we can to reduce our carbon
emissions.

“Last year we declared a
climate change emergency and since then have set up a Climate Change Convention
and are putting in place a range of measures to make the city carbon zero by
2030.

“The opening of the
District Energy Centre is a significant boost to our climate change credentials
and will provide affordable and sustainable heating to residents and
cutting-edge businesses which are bringing high quality jobs to the city,�
added Cllr Forbes, who also chairs the council’s Climate Change Committee.

Helix District Energy
Centre is the first innovative scheme in a venture to develop District Energy
in the Newcastle city boundaries as part of the Regenerate Newcastle
Partnership.

For further information on
ENGIE, visit www.engie.co.uk/places