Key numbers
Key numbers
Overview
Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) is committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 and has developed an Action Plan to support this ambition. Reaching Net Zero demonstrates the council’s dedication to preserving the local environment and reducing the impacts of climate change.
As part of this commitment, CCC is investing in low-carbon infrastructure to decarbonise heat in off-gas rural communities.
Our work
Equans is delivering a renewable heat network for Cambridgeshire County Council to serve the village of Swaffham Prior. The project aims to ensure that 100% of the village’s thermal energy demand is met through renewable energy.
Like many rural villages, Swaffham Prior is not connected to the mains gas network. Residents currently rely on stored fuel to provide heating and hot water. This approach is carbon intensive and exposes the community to shortages and inflated oil prices.
The heat network replaces existing fuel storage infrastructure with a centralised renewable system, significantly reducing the village’s carbon emissions, eliminating environmental hazards, and improving long-term energy resilience for residents.
Project scope
There are four key deliverables for the Swaffham Prior Heat Network project:
- An Energy Centre
For the generation of renewable heat, connected to an extensive ground-loop borehole array, incorporating two ground source heat pumps and one air source heat pump. - A Heat Network
A network of buried pipes distributing thermal energy throughout the village. - Heat Interface Units (HIUs)
Installed within homes to connect residents to the heat network. - Private Electricity Network
Providing renewable electricity to power the energy centre.
Impact
The project facilitates the council in meeting climate and sustainability goals:
- Innovations/ future market model: Investment in pioneering low carbon technology and new business models to shape the market for Net Zero.
- Improvement of local air quality: Eliminating sources of air pollution.
- Green spaces and land management: Aligning with local planning policy for biodiversity net gain.
- Support: Parish councils and community land trusts to shift rural communities off oil into renewables.
Outcomes
Strategic deliverables
- Economic
The scheme generates long-term revenue for the council through:- Sale of heat to residents
- Subsidy revenues
- Carbon trading mechanisms
- Carbon emissions
Simulation modelling suggest the heat network will deliver:- 95% emissions abatement in year one
- 96% by 2030
- 99% by 2050
- This supports CCC in meeting net zero targets and associated environmental strategies.
- Social
The heat network will be no more costly to residents than fuel oil, and eliminate the hazards associated with stored fuel.
Our engagement and commitment
Equans’ delivery approach is underpinned by clear contractual and operational commitments:
- Performance commitment
Guaranteed reductions in electricity consumption through efficient energy solutions. - Proximity commitment
Strong local presence, ensuring availability of supervision and intervention teams. - Transparency commitment
Clear and transparent reporting of energy consumption across installations and equipment piloted.
Frequently asked questions
A renewable heat network is a centralised low-carbon system that generates heat from renewable sources and distributes it to multiple buildings via insulated pipes, with Equans designing and delivering fully integrated solutions that enable communities to decarbonise heat at scale.
Rural and off-gas communities can transition away from oil by adopting renewable heat networks powered by technologies such as ground and air source heat pumps. Equans supports local authorities and residents through the design, delivery and long-term operation of sustainable alternatives.
Heat networks reduce reliance on fossil fuels by centralising and decarbonising heat generation, helping local authorities meet net zero targets. Equans provides technical expertise and innovative delivery models to turn climate strategies into operational infrastructure.
Our expertise
Equans supports businesses, communities and the public sector by mobilising its expertise to provide low-carbon energy solutions, offer cutting-edge technical and FM services and transformative regeneration across the UK & Ireland.
