Manchester City Council has announced that they have secured a grant for £2.87 million from the Government. The funding has been given to the council as a part of the Government’s national Heat Network Project, for work to be carried out on the Manchester Civic Quarter Heat Network.

Manchester is one of only nine local authorities that have managed to secure funding for these projects. The funding success that has recently been announced means that the city council will now be able to progress with the Civic Quarter Heat Project that is working to make changes and see significant carbon reductions over the course of the next three decades. Following the success of the grant application the council is expected to meet the remainder of the cost for the programme of investment.

The Manchester Civic Quarter Heat Network project aims to become cost-neutral over the course of the scheme, with the possibility of revenue being created from this project that can be invested into more low-carbon, renewable initiatives. The scheme has been designed in order to offer the potential for expansion. As the network grows and customers involved with this scheme become connected there will be a higher level of capacity installed and the benefits of the programme can increase.

Vital Energi is known for being one of the country’s best known providers of sustainable and renewable energy schemes. The company has been appointed as the preferred bidder in order to deliver the scheme, which will include the construction of a low-carbon energy centre and 2km district heating network. This network will include a number of well-known Manchester buildings including Manchester Town Hall and its extension, Manchester Central Convention Centre, the Central Library, Manchester Art Gallery, Bridgewater Hall and Heron House. Manchester City Council has announced that they are fully focused on improving air quality and environmental quality in order to improve the attractiveness of the city.