The Bristol Heat Network in Bedminster is expanding into the Whitehouse Street Regeneration Area

The Bristol Heat Network is part our city’s plan to become carbon neutral by decarbonising heat production a vital step on our journey to net zero. It’s being developed by Vattenfall, in partnership with Bristol City Council and Ameresco through the Bristol City Leap initiative.

The heat network delivers low carbon heating and hot water to homes and businesses using underground pipes. It already serves residential and commercial buildings in areas like Redcliffe, Old Market, Temple and Bedminster, with over 5,000 homes and commercial spaces connected.

Installation of the heat network in Bedminster began in January 2022 with works focused within the Bedminster Green Regeneration Area. The network began supplying heat to its first Bedminster development (Metal Works) in April 2024. The network in Bedminster is now expanding into the Whitehouse Street Regeneration Area, which will take pipework from Whitehouse Lane, along Whitehouse Street and across to the junction between York Road and St Lukes Road.

Vattenfall owns and operates the network, bringing investment and expertise to help Bristol reduce emissions, create jobs, and support the local economy.

What work has happened so far

In Bedminster, the heat network starts near Malago Trading Estate and will stretch to Mead Street. To date, pipes have been installed through areas like Dalby Avenue, Whitehouse Lane and Windmill Hill City Farm. Temporary energy centres have been used to supply heating and hot water to connected buildings whilst plans for a permanent low carbon energy centre are progressed.

Key milestones include:

• The network supplies heat to its first development (Metal Works) in April 2024
• Installing a temporary energy centre on St John’s Road (now removed as of May 2025)
• Establishing a new temporary centre on a vacant site along Dalby Avenue (operational until summer 2026)
• Pipe installation through Windmill Hill City Farm (completed March 2025)
• Enhancements to be delivered at Windmill Hill City Farm including new paths, gates and a cow shed

What work is coming up

Several projects are planned for the rest of 2025 and into 2026:

• Ground investigations for the extension to the Bedminster heat network from Whitehouse Lane to York Road/St Lukes Road Junction will begin in July 2025 on Whitehouse Street, Whitehouse Place and at the Princess Street intersection with Whitehouse Street and last approximately five weeks.
• Final pipe installations on Whitehouse Lane are expected before Autumn 2025.

There will be some disruption, including road closures and visual changes during construction, but efforts are being made to minimise the impact and Vattenfall will be liaising directly with those in the immediate vicinity of the works.

Future plans

Vattenfall plans to extend the Bedminster heat network to connect new developments coming forward, including plots within the Whitehouse Street regeneration area. Construction for this phase could begin in early 2026, but exact dates will be determined following ground investigations so the final route can be designed.

The long-term goal is to connect Bedminster’s network to the wider Bristol heat network via the existing Redcliffe heat network area.

To generate heat for this expanding network, a new interim energy centre is planned off Whitehouse Lane. Plans are progressing to construct a permanent low carbon energy centre near Whitehouse Street by 2028. Both projects are currently subject to planning.

Vattenfall is also exploring ways to connect existing homes in the future and is actively looking for a pilot project to test this initiative, which would be the first in the UK.

The heat network in Bristol is a critical component for Bristol’s decarbonisation plan and will provide low carbon heating and hot water to the equivalent of 12,000 local homes within five years. Vattenfall is committed to using the local supply chain through the construction of the heat network and is estimated to deliver £55m worth of contractors locally. The Bristol City Leap partnership will also create 1,000 new full-time jobs.

Vattenfall have also co-created the £1.5m Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund and we would encourage people to get involved and explore ideas which can be heat related or broader energy efficiency initiatives. You can find more information on this via their website here.

Read more on the Bristol heat network here.