How Salix supports decarbonisation projects from concept through to delivery
Team Salix visits nine sites in Newcastle and Durham
Team Salix was on-site in the snowy north to meet with stakeholders and discuss how government funding can support the end-to-end process that delivers to net zero ambitions.
Meeting with contacts from Durham University, Durham County Council and Newcastle City Council, the team visited nine different sites across two days.
Salix client support officer Rachael Holliday said: “The highlight of the trip was speaking with stakeholders and seeing the real difference that funding is making to these organisations.
“It also gave fantastic insight into the support we can offer for organisations at different stages in their decarbonisation journey, to celebrate success in the projects that have been completed, and to speak to organisations with a strong vision of what a low-carbon future looks like.”
The highlight of the trip was speaking with stakeholders and seeing the real difference that funding is making to these organisations.
It also gave fantastic insight into the support we can offer for organisations at different stages in their decarbonisation journey, to celebrate success in the projects that have been completed, and to speak to organisations with a strong vision of what a low-carbon future looks like.
The low carbon vision in Durham
On the first day, Salix visited two organisations in Durham to see how the local community may be positively influenced by decarbonisation works.
First, the team met with Durham University senior energy manager Tom Bray to see three sites and to discuss how possible Low Carbon Skills Fund investment could support strategic thinking to prepare for future decarbonisation opportunities.
Discussions were centred around plans for Hatfield College, the chapel at Hild and Bede College and the history department. Alongside the opportunities this presented in terms of positive impacts for the university community, particularly the halls of residence at Hatfield College, the team also discussed foreseen challenges in the graded listing of some of the buildings on site.
Funding accessibility through Low Carbon Skills Fund will be sought if government announces another phase of the popular fund. This would enable them to engage a specialist to help develop a heat decarbonisation plan.
The team then visited two Durham County Council projects that have received funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
Abbey Leisure Centre is a complete project that received funding under Phase 1, while Meadowfield Depot has received funding under Phase 3b and is due to complete within this financial year.
Abbey Leisure Centre has been recognised for the significant role it plays in supporting the health and wellbeing of the Durham community, enabling residents to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Senior carbon and energy officer Malcom Johnson and energy conservation advisor Dave Walker from Durham County Council hosted the team through the Meadowfield Depot, where they saw the installed air source heat pumps and discussed how the low-carbon technology would positively benefit council staff.
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme projects have encompassed low-carbon heating technologies via air source heat pumps, as well as energy efficiency measures and renewable energy generation through solar pv.
Ongoing progress supported by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme in Newcastle
In Newcastle, the team were guided by Newcastle City Council senior project manager Farah Hussain across four sites that have received funding under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme phases 1 and 3b.
The projects accompany Low Carbon Skills Fund projects which the council has undertaken to access skills and expertise to unlock heat decarbonisation in their estate.
The Pattern Shop, Walbottle Academy and the Civic Centre all received funding under Phase 1 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, while the Newcastle Helix Energy Centre has received multi-year funding under Phase 3b.
Farah said: “Newcastle City Council’s Net Zero Programme Team were delighted to show Salix colleagues around several sites which represent just a fraction of the actual investment from Salix into the city.
“These important public services are now low carbon as a direct result of Salix providing essential grant funding during the first round of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.”
Newcastle City Council’s Net Zero Programme Team were delighted to show Salix colleagues around several sites which represent just a fraction of the actual investment from Salix into the city.
These important public services are now low carbon as a direct result of Salix providing essential grant funding during the first round of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
The Pattern Shop, which is currently being restored, is a grade II listed building that is now providing a sustainable office space for the community, based around the key pillars of a people, place and planet ethos.
The Walbottle Academy is one of the largest secondary academy’s in Newcastle, supporting just shy of 1,500 students aged from 11 through 18.
The Civic Centre, which has hosted the Council Chamber since 1968, is also a popular conference venue which can hold from 10-600+ guests. It is popular for both corporate and private events including for conferences, meetings and weddings.
The Helix Energy Centre is a centralised energy system for a 24-acre Newcastle Helix site. The centre provides heating to all businesses and homes on their network of underground pipes, including a large number of council-owned buildings.
Measures being installed across the locations include air source heat pumps, solar panels, electric heating, ventilation, and electrical infrastructure upgrades, alongside business energy management system upgrades, insulation, double glazing, secondary glazing and LED lighting.
Farah added: “The council also wanted to visibly demonstrate that it is possible to achieve a low carbon future across a range of different operational uses despite there sometimes being complex arrangements in place.
“This investment has provided a huge catalyst towards the city’s net zero goals and perhaps even more importantly it has piqued the interest of multiple public and private stakeholders and made it abundantly clear that a low carbon future is achievable.”
Together, the projects and discussions offer a demonstration on how Salix delivers funding and works with the public sector to enable organisations to plan for and implement low-carbon changes which support the delivery of our net zero aims.
Further funding information is on our website.
From left: Salix client support officer Marcus Tang and programme manager Christopher Masters with Newcastle City Council senior project manager Farah Hussain and Salix client support officer Rachael Holliday.
Photo credit: Salix Finance.
