Cornwall’s first heat pump village one step closer

Stithians residents to benefit from ground-breaking renewable heat project

Kensa Utilities recently hosted a series of community events to showcase the renewable technology behind the ground-breaking Heat the Streets project and discuss how the ambitious vision for switching hundreds of homes in Stithians to renewable heating will be delivered.

The Cornish-based ground source heat pump utility company secured £6.2 million from the European Regional Development Fund to part fund Heat the Streets, an £8.7million renewable heating project that will provide efficient and sustainable ground source heating for 500 new and existing Cornish homes.

One of the biggest beneficiaries will be Stithians, where a large proportion of the parish use oil or LPG to heat their homes. 175 private households will have their existing heating system replaced with a subsidised ground source heat pump system, including radiators, water cylinder, smart controller, and connection to Kensa’s heat network. The new heating system will provide homes with 100% of their heat and water.

Local residents keen to leave fossil fuels behind were given the opportunity to learn more about how ground source heat pump technology could future proof their energy bills and reduce the carbon footprint of their homes. It was the first chance for many of the villagers who have already registered interest to participate in the project to meet the Kensa Utilities team in person and learn more about how heat pumps will affect their property.

On behalf of Stithians Parish Council, Phil Blease, said: “Stithians is getting very excited by the Heat the Streets project. Since Stithians Parish Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 we have been working closely with Stithians Energy Group to reduce our carbon footprint and to encourage other communities to do the same. Heat the Streets is a great project which will demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of retro-fitting ground source heat pumps to existing domestic properties at a scale which is needed to really make a difference.”

Brian Piper of the Stithians Energy Group, stated: “It was encouraging to see the number of people expressing an interest in this exciting project which integrates with Stithians Energy Group’s objective to help people reduce their carbon footprint. SEG were pleased to have this opportunity to help promote this fully funded ground source heat pump scheme as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.”

The government has recognised the important role that heat pumps have to play in helping the UK reduce carbon emissions, combat air pollution and tackle climate change. The 2020 published 10-point plan set out a target for 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028. Using ground source heat pumps can reduce each home’s carbon footprint by around 70% as they are electrically powered, non-combustion devices that produce no local emissions.

Kensa Utilities’ Lisa Treseder, explained:

“A project of this scale and scope has never been attempted before in Cornwall, or anywhere in the UK for that matter. With the government aiming to ‘Build Back Greener’ and lead the effort against climate change, it is exciting to imagine that a Cornish village could provide a model for expanding the use of renewable heating systems.”

Stithians residents can register interest with the project at https://heatthestreets.co.uk/register-interest/