Dr Clive Winters, Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Strategy and Governance) at Coventry University, and Ian Parker, Project Director at Bring Energy
Coventry University has completed work to connect its campus to the city’s district energy network – a step that is expected to cut carbon emissions by more than 1,300 tonnes a year, more than a fifth of the university’s annual emissions from fossil‑fuel heating.
The upgraded network, designed to support further expansion if required, is a major part of the university’s ambition to reach net zero by 2030 and also creates future opportunities for parts of the Hillfields area to access low‑carbon heat, helping to reduce fuel poverty and improve local sustainability, the university said.
The project, delivered with Bring Energy, has been supported by almost £13 million from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, described as ‘a truly transformative moment for Coventry.’
Heat is supplied from the city’s Energy from Waste facility via 6.6km of pipework. By switching from gas boilers to the low‑carbon network across seven plant rooms, 11 university buildings now receive a more resilient, efficient and sustainable heat supply. As part of the upgrade, pipework has also been installed through Hillfields, creating future opportunities for community buildings and homes to join the network. This could help stabilise heating costs, cut emissions from local services and support efforts to reduce fuel poverty in one of Coventry’s most deprived areas, the university added.
Earlier decarbonisation work funded through the same programme included installing around 800 solar panels across the campus and reglazing the Elm Bank building to improve energy performance.
Dr Clive Winters, Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Strategy and Governance) at Coventry University said:
Completing this connection to Coventry’s district energy network is a significant milestone in our journey to become net zero by 2030. By moving away from gas and onto low‑carbon district heat, we are immediately reducing our carbon emissions and strengthening the long‑term resilience of our campus. This investment benefits our staff and students, who repeatedly tell us sustainability matters to them, and opens the door to future community benefit in the Hillfields area of our city.”
Mark Anderson, Concession Director for Birmingham and Coventry at Bring Energy said:
We’re delighted to work with Coventry University to support its net zero ambition. With phase one of the expansion works now complete, this project demonstrates how extending the Heatline network can deliver scalable, low‑carbon infrastructure while maintaining day‑to‑day campus operations. It shows how district energy can transform a campus’ carbon profile in a practical, cost‑effective way.
