Leicester-based Sofidel plans to replace its current natural gas steam boiler with one that can run on green hydrogen at its paper mill in the city, helping to transform their energy intensive manufacturing process.
The change has been made possible thanks to a share in more than half a billion pounds in funding to help reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions across a range of businesses and public buildings.
Down the road in Loughborough funds £2m is being given to Loughborough University to decarbonise its Olympic-size swimming pool by replacing old gas-fired boilers with more efficient, cleaner heat pumps.
These and other energy efficient upgrades are being made possible with more than £557 million government investment. The new projects will help reduce emissions and cut bills, as part of the government’s plan to reach its world-leading net zero targets in a sustainable, pragmatic way.
Heat pumps, solar panels, insulation and low-energy lighting will be rolled out to reduce the use of fossil fuels across the public sector and strengthen the UK’s energy independence, helping save taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds.
This follows significant progress already made towards reaching net zero – with the UK becoming the first major economy to halve emissions. Decarbonising the public sector is expected to save an estimated £650 million per year on average to 2037.
Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Lord Callanan said: “From school corridors to the businesses that power up our economy, we want to make sure buildings of all shapes and sizes are supported to deliver net zero.
“By allocating over £557 million today, we are standing steadfast behind our public sector and local businesses, providing the help they need to make the switch to cleaner, homegrown energy.
“This will not only help cut bills in the long term, but ensure we keep reducing our emissions – having already led the world by halving them since 1990.”
