Excess heat from data centres and factories will be pumped into thousands of English homes to keep them warm under new plans announced by ministers.
Seven “heat network zones” are planned, with one in Leeds, Plymouth, Bristol, Stockport and Sheffield, and two in London, to share warmth across urban areas via underground pipe networks.
The networks will transfer excess or unused heat out of some buildings to others nearby such as residential apartment blocks.
They have been awarded £5.8m in government funding to get going, with construction expected to begin from 2026.
For example, in London, warmth from data centres – which contain large banks of computer servers and must be kept cool – will be sent to people living in the Old Oak and Park Royal development.
Another system planned in Leeds will take heat from a nearby glass factory and make connected buildings warmer.
It comes as the Government is pushing councils to designate areas where heat networks could be set up, helping to cut carbon emissions in city centres.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, the minister for energy consumers, said: “Heat network zones will play an important part in our mission to deliver clean power for the country, helping us take back control of our energy security.
“As well as energy independence, they will support millions of businesses and building owners for years to come, with low-cost, low carbon heating – driving down energy bills.
“Tens of thousands of green jobs will be created across the country, and that’s why we’re investing in developing these fantastic and innovative projects – developing the first zones in cities and towns across England.”
The Government said that heat networks have the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs across the country.
Buildings that could connect to a network include those that are already communally heated, as well as large non-domestic buildings over a certain size, such as hospitals, universities, hotels, supermarkets, and office blocks.
The seven selected schemes are in cities that are preparing to designate zones for heat networks and are seen as being “ready to deliver at pace”, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said.
It added that lessons learned from the pilots would “inform work to reduce bills, enhance energy security, and achieve net zero by 2050”.
Caroline Bragg, chief executive of the Association for Decentralised Energy, said: “Heat network zones are crucial for a just transition for our communities – putting the UK on the lowest cost pathway to decarbonising our heat, attracting more than £3 of private investment for every £1 of public funding given and creating tens of thousands of local jobs.
“As we begin to deliver zoning at scale, it is crucial that the Government and industry continue to work together to ensure heat networks can truly unleash their potential.”