Decision details

Kirklees Council in 2017 commissioned a consultant AECOM to undertake an initial feasibility study to consider the evidential and technical business case for the development of a district heat network in Huddersfield.  This business case focuses on the utilisation of heat and power from the Energy from Waste (EfW) plant, located at Diamond St, Huddersfield,  to provide carbon reductions, reduced energy prices, energy security and support for local business and the local economy.

Approval is now required from Cabinet to accept project grant funding from the BEIS Heat Network Delivery Unit and to authorise the procurement of a consultant to begin a Detailed Project Development (DPD) stage drawing on the feasibility study, to refine the proposed network design and de risk the opportunity identified. This will continue the feasibility process for the heat network and will result in an outline business case for the council to consider.

1)    That the positive results of the 2018 feasibility study be noted.

2)    That approval be given to (i) accepting grant funding for the project from the BEIS Heat Network Delivery Unit (£309, 265) and (ii) corresponding capital match funding (£152,325) for the DPD stage of feasibility, as identified within the Capital Plan, in order to allow the heat network feasibility process to be completed and produce and outline business case.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Environment and Climate Change) to immediately undertake procurement of consultants for the future delivery of the detailed project development stage of a Huddersfield District Heat and Energy Network.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Environment and Climate Change) to deliver the actions as set out above, and apply any minor alterations in order to ensure that the project is delivered up to outline business case completion.

5)    That a further update be submitted to Cabinet following the completion of the DPD stage, presenting the completed findings of the feasibility process and the outline business case for consideration.