Partner wanted for £1.4bn Trafford heat network

The local authority is on the hunt for a development partner to design, build, and operate the low-carbon energy project.

Focussed on north Trafford, the proposed heat network would get its start at the Civic Quarter in Stretford. The project is part of the government’s Advanced Zoning Programme and has received £5.7m from Whitehall to support its initial phase.

The contract for the development partner has a value of £1.4bn, according to the procurement notice.

The Civic Quarter element of the project would use heat from sewers to supply heat to Trafford College, Stretford High School, and Trafford Town Hall to start. This would eventually be expanded to include the Wharfside and Trafford Park areas.

These industrial-heavy areas are the single largest source of carbon emissions in the city region, according to Trafford Council. A heat network would go a long way into making them more sustainable.

“We are delighted to launch this procurement to seek a development partner for this huge and exciting venture that see the borough lead the way in low-carbon energy solutions,” said Cllr Aidan Williams, Trafford’s executive member for climate change.

Williams continued: “This is a key part of the council’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2038. Addressing the climate crisis is a major corporate priority for us in Trafford, and we will continue to do everything we can to support this vision.”

Energy companies are encouraged to submit their bids to deliver the heat network scheme before 4 March, with the successful applicant being announced in May. Construction on the heat network would commence in 2027.

Trafford Council hopes to have the network partially up and running by the end of 2028 and fully complete by 2040.

Trafford is not the only North West local authority that is part of the government’s Advanced Zoning Programme. Liverpool City Council is working towards putting its own heat network zone in place in the city centre, Speke, and Garston.