Swedish energy group Vattenfall has been announced as the front runner for a low carbon heating infrastructure project in north London.
The new 180-acre district heating network will be situated in Brent Cross South in Barnet and is being developed by urban regeneration specialist Argent Related and Barnet Council.
The work will be carried out by Vattenfall’s new UK Energy Solutions business.
A total of 6,700 new homes under the Brent Cross South regeneration scheme will be served from the network, which will use a mix of low carbon plant which will include the UK’s “largest” installation of heat pumps.
The project is a major element of Barnet Council’s £4.5 billion Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme and as well as the new homes will also provide a new town centre, a transport hub and up to 4 million square feet of new office space providing for over 25,000 jobs.
Vattenfall fought off competition from eight other firms, the names of which remain commercially confidential.
Mattias Tingvall, vice president of Vattenfall Energy Solutions, said: “This is the first project for us in the UK since we established ourselves in March last year.
“It will be our anchor in the UK as Vattenfall Energy Solutions business grows to deliver fossil free energy for cities and real estate owners in the UK.
“The news comes as the UK government recently announced the future homes standard and the end of fossil fuel heating systems in new homes by 2025.”
Mike Reynolds, head of Energy Solutions UK and managing director of Vattenfall Heat UK, said: “We are delighted to have been selected from a strong competitive field by the joint venture development team.
“Brent Cross South is our first major heat network project opportunity in the UK, and we are looking forward to concluding a detailed agreement to move ahead.
“We have already started working closely with the development team on technical specifications and we hope to bring our best practice approach from across Europe to this flagship development in London, and together over the coming years deliver a new benchmark for high-quality, future-proofed, low carbon infrastructure.”
André Gibbs, joint chief executive of Brent Cross South, said: “We have chosen a skilled, forward-thinking partner who will help us deliver a sophisticated long-term heat generation solution for Brent Cross South.
“Vattenfall made it clear through the competitive bidding process that it shares our values and provided the most compelling solution, combining a strong team on the ground in the UK with an excellent track record and pedigree across Europe.
“We are looking forward to working more closely with its team in the coming months.”
Over the next few months, the final commercial details will also be agreed ahead of contracts being signed towards the end of this year.
Last month Vattenfall announced a deal with Manx Utilities on the Isle of Man to provide flexible electricity trading opportunities with the British wholesale market.
Under the agreement, the island’s publicly-owned energy supplier will buy and sell power through Vattenfall’s Flex Expert electricity trading platform, with power imported and exported through the island’s interconnector to the mainland.