Sustainable leisure energy project gets off the ground

Key partners in a multi-million pound collaboration to bring sustainable low-carbon heating to Grantham Meres have met to mark the project’s completion.

Working with Alliance Leisure and renewable energy specialist Leisure Energy, the £4m South Kesteven District Council project has delivered air source heat pump technology to the centre, in a move expected to reduce energy bills for the centre by £170,000 a year, and cut carbon emissions by more than 550 tonnes a year.

Funding came through Phase 3c of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance.

Visitors from all partners met to learn more about the decarbonisation scheme and saw for themselves the Net Zero Pod at the centre of operations.

Carbon emissions from the district’s three SKDC-operated leisure centres made up 41% of the council’s operational emissions due to the energy used for heating and hot water, as well as electricity to power the centres.

Installing the new heating system will dramatically lower the centre’s energy bills, reduce its carbon footprint and help meet the council’s target of reducing emissions by 30% by 2030.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, Cllr Rhys Baker, said: “Grantham Meres Leisure Centre is now the benchmark for net zero leisure facilities, with the installation of a Net Zero Pod to reduce operational costs, boost efficiency and cut carbon emissions.”

He told the meeting: “When we formulated this project in 2023, the motivation behind our plans was not only to reduce carbon emissions, but also to respond to hugely increased energy costs for the centre.

“Our new low-carbon heating system dovetails neatly with the existing infrastructure of the centre to deliver all the heat it needs to operate properly for the comfort of users and to benefit the environment.”

Assistant Director at Salix Simon Pettett said: “It’s been a privilege to work alongside South Kesteven District Council on a project of this scale and impact.

“This multi-million-pound collaboration shows what can be achieved when expertise and ambition come together with a shared commitment to sustainability.

“Seeing the transformation at The Meres is incredibly rewarding, and we’re proud to have supported a scheme that sets a strong example for low-carbon heating across the public sector.”

Mike Worsnop, Acting Managing Director at Leisure Energy, said: “During the past three years, Leisure Energy are pleased to have been a partner with South Kesteven District Council for the decarbonisation and electrification of Grantham Meres Leisure Centre. 

“The replacement of the existing fossil fuel boilers and CHP unit with the installation of solar panels, and our unique Net Zero Pod®, will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the facility in having reduced gas consumption by 100%, which will also result in lower operating costs. Consequently, the community is provided with an energy efficient leisure facility for many generations to come.”

The Net Zero Pod replaces The Meres’ gas boilers within a stand-alone external plant room designed specifically for use within a leisure and swimming pool environment. Alongside the pod is an evaporator fan deck housing fan units. Benefits include a rapid response to changes in site demand and weather conditions.

The Pod works in partnership with 574 solar panels secured through a £399,000 grant from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund.

The council was awarded £3,587,500 of grant funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, supported by funding from its own budgets to bring the total investment to just over £4m.

To add some context, for every single unit of energy the heat pump uses, it can produce at least four units of heat. Gas boilers in comparison run at only 70-94% efficiency levels, whilst also producing greater carbon emissions.

Salix’s role is to support the UK government in driving the transition to a low carbon future and meet challenging net zero targets: www.salixfinance.co.uk. Salix delivers and administers grant and loan funding on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Scottish and Welsh governments. This is delivered across the public sector as well as housing.

The schemes delivered provide funding for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects for public sector buildings as well as the housing sector. Salix schemes are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and supporting the government’s ambitious net zero targets.

Salix also plays an important role in increasing awareness of energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation across the public sector throughout the UK. Their teams work closely with the public sector organisations throughout their decarbonisation journey, from the moment a grant is allocated to the moment the scheme is fully operational.