Newport City Homes has appointed the award-winning firm, Vital Energi, as principal contractor to carry out the replacement programme to upgrade the pipework connecting a district heating system to more than 1,000 homes in Duffryn.
The system experienced a series of leaks in early 2023 which saw significant disruption to heating and hot water supplies. The association pledged to carry out a full review of the performance of the district heating system at the time and has now announced a substantial programme of pipe replacement work to improve performance for the local community.
Sonia Furzland, Executive Director of Operations at Newport City Homes, said: “We’re pleased to announce this substantial investment in the Duffryn district heating system to upgrade the pipework and improve heating and hot water performance to more than 1,000 customers.
“As part of our regular monitoring, we have always replaced aging pipework across the heat network and carried out localised repairs. We have worked closely with specialists over recent months to assess the performance of the network, and our surveys have shown that the pipework connecting the system to homes across Duffryn needs replacement.
“This essential work will improve the performance of the district heating system for the community. We’d like to thank our customers for the substantial support and patience during the leaks we experienced earlier this year, and over the last few months as we have carried out this urgent review. We hope this gives the community assurance that we are taking action in response to the issues we have seen.”
WATCH a video of Sonia talking about the project
Work to upgrade the Duffryn district heating system is expected to begin in October 2023 and be completed in Spring 2024. The Duffryn heating system is supported by over seven kilometres of pipework which runs underneath the ground. This includes underneath main roads, NCH homes and privately owned homes. It was originally put in place during the 1970s. Work will take place in planned phases to minimise disruption of supply to the 1,035 homes.
As principal contractor, Vital Energi will carry out the replacement programme in partnership with Newport City Homes’ specialist team.
Ashley Walsh (Managing Director of Heat Networks) at Vital Energi, added: “For nearly 50 years this scheme has provided heating and hot water to the people of Duffryn and this upgrade will safeguard this essential service for decades to come, making the heat network more reliable and more efficient. We are delighted to be delivering 7.5km of pipework on the project and also look forwards to working with the local community on some exciting community engagement projects.”
Newport City Homes was recognised with the ‘Communicating with Tenants & Customers Award’ at the Tenant Participation and Advisory Services (TPAS) Cymru 2023 Awards earlier this year for their customer-focused response to the Duffryn leaks in February 2023.
The association is also delivering an ambitious welfare programme to support all customers with energy advice and support. This includes the launch of a dedicated Energy Advice team in partnership with the Community Interest Company, Warm Wales, after securing a £500k grant from the Ofgem Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme in March, and a separate £200k investment into helping customers most in need over the next 12 months.
This five-fold increase in welfare funding is designed to enhance the support Newport City Homes can provide to the most vulnerable during the UK’s current cost-of-living crisis.