The Duffryn Heat Network – Vital Energi
The Duffryn Heat Network has been providing warmth and comfort to residents of the estate for nearly five decades. In recent years the aging pipework has affected the customers’ experience. To address this issue, Newport City Homes (NCH) and Vital Energi embarked on one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious heat network replacement projects.
Whilst the UK is developing and delivering new heat networks at an unprecedented rate, it’s crucial to maintain and eventually replace the first generation of heat networks that have been supplying customers for many decades. The Duffryn Heat Network, serving almost 1,000 customers since the mid-1970s, had experienced multiple leaks and outages, significantly impacting its service.
To address these issues, the housing association conducted temporary repairs and commissioned a thermographic drone survey, revealing additional problems. With the aid of a £3.7 million government grant from the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme, NCH engaged Vital Energi to replace the entire network. Over a nine-month period they replaced 7.5 kilometres of district heating pipework to provide residents with a reliable, efficient heating system fit for the 21st century.
The heat network draws energy from a nearby biomass energy centre that uses sustainable, locally sourced woodchip, ensuring low-carbon heat provision to residents.
This extensive project required connecting 27 substations serving over 970 homes, schools, and other buildings and the complex design incorporated both steel and plastic pipe in varying sizes, ranging from 200mm mains to 32mm branches across the development
We strongly believe that delivering heat networks is an opportunity to engage with the community, add social value and leave lasting, impactful legacies. During the pre-construction period, the team collaborated closely with the client to develop a comprehensive programme of social value initiatives, fostering strong connections with the local community. These efforts included supporting vulnerable groups, promoting education and environmental awareness, and contributing to local schools and community programs.
“We believe that by working with Vital Energi we’re going to provide an improved service to our community, with greater energy efficiency, better insulation and better provision of services that, hopefully, will keep our community’s bills down because, at the end of the day, these are things that matter in a cost-of-living crisis.”
