Wastewater from a sewer in Rochdale is set to supply 28GWh of low-cost, low-carbon heating to the town’s hospital, schools, leisure centre and homes.
Supported by £1 million from the Government’s Green Heat Network Fund, the project will link public buildings in the town centre, with work due to start in 2029 as part of Rochdale’s ongoing town centre regeneration.
Heat networks are expected to play an important role in cutting heating emissions, which made up more than a third of the borough’s emissions in 2023. Whilst this technology is relatively new in the UK, wastewater heat recovery is already used at over 500 sites worldwide.
2 heat sources were assessed, and a town centre sewer source heat pump was chosen as the best option, which extracts the thermal energy found in wastewater using a combination of heat exchangers and a heat pump, with an energy centre planned for the current Mecca Bingo car park near Number One Riverside in Rochdale.
By removing the need for individual heat pumps, boilers and hot water tanks in buildings, the network would provide cheaper, cleaner heating, with lower energy bills and carbon emissions with heating and hot water delivered through a heat exchanger about the size of a small gas boiler, with individual controls in each property.
Councillor Tricia Ayrton, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for climate change and environment, said:
"The scheme is a key part of Rochdale’s town centre regeneration and is expected to create jobs and apprenticeships, while the significant grant will help us deliver a low-carbon heating system that will cut bills and CO2 emissions, improve air quality and provide energy-efficient heating for public buildings, including the town hall, leisure centre, art gallery, museum, schools, Rochdale Infirmary, police station, social housing, businesses, and other nearby buildings.”
The funding announced on 20 May 2026 forms part of the government’s Warm Homes Plan to upgrade homes, reduce energy bills and tackle fuel poverty.
It follows the government’s January commitment to provide £195 million a year for the Green Heat Network Fund and £15 million a year for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme through to 2029/30 under the Warm Homes Plan.
Councillor Ayrton added:
“A business case is being prepared ahead of procurement in preparation for the 2029 start date. We will keep residents and local businesses informed as plans progress.”