Southampton City Council has connected a city centre housing scheme into its district energy network, the UK’s largest.

This morning, the council held an event to celebrate connecting City Centre Gantry, a residential scheme with 115 affordable housing flats next to the council’s main office (pictured) into its energy network.

The flat development is being developed by Atlantic Housing – part of the First Wessex Group – and Drew Smith Limited.

The energy scheme is being developed in partnership between the council and Utilicom. The council says the energy network saves the city more than 11,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, and that expanding the scheme to provide energy the the Gantry development would save a further 190 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

The expansion of the network was funded by £650,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency. Councillor Matthew Dean, cabinet member for environment and transport, called this a “major milestone” in the city’s goal to grow its district housing scheme.

“We set the example and lead for others to follow and I am determined to keep moving this enegry scheme forward,” said Dean.

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