OREANDA-NEWS. SSE and leading housing provider, A2Dominion, welcomed the UK Government’s Energy Minister, Andrea Leadsom MP, and local MP, Victoria Prentis, to the Elmsbrook North West Bicester development to mark to mark the opening of the scheme’s energy centre.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the opening of the new combined heat and power (CHP) plant, which will provide heat and hot water to the initial phase of the NW Bicester Eco-Town development. The CHP plant, which will be operated and maintained by SSE once commissioned, supplies heat and hot water to all homes through a district heating system that harnesses waste heat from electrical generation exported to the grid.  

Commenting on the visit, the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Andrea Leadsom, said:

“I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to visit Elmsbrook with local MP Victoria Prentis and see how far this exemplary development has come. The CHP plant is an excellent example of a low carbon, sustainable source of energy for the eco town. A2Dominion and SSE have worked hard to design an energy solution for residents’ that fits with the overall sustainability of the development.”

Nathan Sanders, Managing Director SSE Enterprise Utilities, said: 

“We are delighted to play a key role in the exciting development of Elmsbrook. SSE will operate and maintain the heat network and energy centre indefinitely, providing 24/7/365 operation and customer care for all Elmsbrook residents connected to the new heat network. We have worked closely with A2Dominion to shape and develop this partnership and our involvement here builds on our position as one of the UK’s leading providers of heat networks.” 

Darrell Mercer, Chief Executive at A2Dominion, said: 

“We are very proud to welcome both Andrea Leadsom and Victoria Prentis to our flagship development at Elmsbrook, NW Bicester. Elmsbrook demonstrates that we can achieve truly sustainable standards in design and the lifestyle for residents, without compromising on comfort or quality.  A district heating solution is a pioneering way to heat modern homes efficiently, and we hope that this and the other environmental features on this scheme will inform future development projects.”