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The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) is supporting a low carbon heat network scheme in Oxford that will decarbonise public sector buildings across the city. 1Energy have secured almost £22 million from the GHNF for a heat network powered by 20MW of water source heat pump capacity. The project will provide low carbon heating to a number of Oxford’s most historical public sector buildings.
The University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership (ZCOP) are just a few of the major stakeholders 1Energy are collaborating with to help shape and deliver the project. 1Energy are already moving forward to advance the heat network with plans to begin construction in 2026 following engagement with the local community and securing planning consent.
The project is expected to cut carbon emissions by an impressive 15,000 tonnes a year – a significant step towards Oxford’s net zero ambitions. By reducing air pollution, the heat network aims to support a healthier, cleaner environment for those who live, work and study in the area.
Ken Hunnisett, Programme Director, said:
“Momentum is building as private and public sector stakeholders combine to create a truly thriving heat network market. 1Energy’s transformative project in Oxford is a brilliant example of what this kind of collaboration can achieve — delivering significant volumes of heat, improving air quality, and connecting communities, while decarbonising some of the UK’s leading institutions and a University of world renown”.
The network is also forecast to reduce harmful air pollutants linked to respiratory problems by 5 per cent before 2030. To ensure the project delivers a meaningful impact, 1Energy has established a community benefit task group which brings together major institutions in the city to explore ways the project can support community initiatives, tackle fuel poverty and create local employment opportunities.
Andrew Wettern, CEO of 1Energy, said:
“Oxford has more than 1500 listed buildings across the city, so the decarbonisation challenge for Oxford is much harder than many other cities. The Oxford Energy Network matches perfectly to the challenge because it will be invisible and silent, it will supply the temperatures required by these historic buildings to maintain their warmth in the winter, and it will be easier and cheaper for customers to connect to the network than to create their own low-carbon heat onsite.”
“By using the Oxford Energy Network as a model for other historical cities and towns, we can deliver heat decarbonisation in a way that preserves our heritage, across many more cities and towns at pace.”
FMJ has partnered with global worktech leader, Eptura, to deliver a webinar on Thursday 26 June at 11am to discuss Eptura’s 2025 Workplace Index that suggests that over a third of employers are proactively looking to increase office attendance which could result in a rise in the use of AI and cross-platform data analytics to help manage FM operations.
The webinar will bring together experts from Eptura, along with FM thought leaders on the adoption of integrated solutions that unleash powerful data analytics capabilities, leading to increased productivity and reduced operational costs.
To register for the webinar please click here.
Can’t make it no problem… Simply sign up and after the webinar has been broadcast a link will be sent to you to watch the recording.
