Bradford Energy Network
Having secured £20mn of Green Heat Network Funding, 1Energy has developed a city-wide heat network that will be delivering heat across Bradford from Autumn 2027 – including to landmark buildings such as the Grade 1 listed City Hall. The £75mn project will generate heat at the newly completed Thornton Road Energy Centre, using one of the largest air source heat pumps in the UK.
Putting Bradford at the forefront of the movement towards resilient, low-carbon energy.
The Bradford Energy Network, delivered by 1Energy, represents a £75 million investment in clean infrastructure that will provide reliable, low-carbon heat to key institutions and communities across the city.
Powered by one of the UK’s largest air source heat pump systems, in the first phase the network will reduce emissions from connected buildings by at least 75% from day one, improve air quality, and position Bradford as a national leader in sustainable urban infrastructure.
At the heart of the project is the Thornton Road Energy Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that will generate and distribute heat throughout the network and, notably, sits on the site of Bradford’s former 19th-century gasworks — symbolising a powerful transition from fossil-fuelled industrial heritage to clean, future-ready infrastructure.
This project is not just about decarbonising heat — it is about unlocking regeneration, attracting investment, and improving quality of life for residents and businesses.
Project timeline & milestones
Our Impact
Creating affordable, cleaner heating for Bradford
75%
Less CO2 per kWh than traditional heat sources, such as gas boilers.
£75mn
Of inward investment to the city, delivering new infrastructure and driving regeneration.
10,000
Homes equivalent supplied with low-carbon heat through the Bradford Energy Network.
What are heat networks?
As an alternative to individual boilers or electric heaters, heat networks are essential for reducing carbon emissions and enabling a healthier, net zero future.
If you’re interested in finding more detail about what they are, how they work and why they are valuable, check out our page below.
Frequently asked questions
The Bradford Energy Network will significantly decarbonise heating across Bradford, making a vital contribution to the city’s net zero targets and the council’s sustainable development goals. The network will reduce organisations’ heating emissions by at least 75% from the first day of connection, compared to gas boilers. 1Energy have an ambition to make the network net zero by 2030.
By providing the foundations for a net zero city, the network can also attract employers and inward investment to Bradford – boosting clean growth.
In addition, the network would become a major pillar of Bradford’s ‘smart energy’ strategy, enabling city leaders to better engage developers, stimulating inward investment, attracting regeneration projects, and demonstrating the city’s credentials as the UK’s leading clean growth district.
The private sector-funded Bradford Energy Network offers the lowest cost route to achieving Bradford’s climate targets.
1Energy will be financing the vast majority of the project’s delivery from its dedicated fund, the District Heating UK (DHUK) Fund. The DHUK Fund has the highest ESG credentials according to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulations, giving customers confidence that the Bradford Energy Network is exemplar in the field of low-carbon heat networks.
The project will also be part-funded by a £20m grant from the UK Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) – a capital grant fund that opened to applicants in 2022 to support the delivery of new heat network projects.
The Bradford Energy Network will cut carbon emissions and provide accessible heat for the city of Bradford. The heat network will reduce organisations’ heating emissions by at least 75% from the first day of connection, compared to gas boilers. 1Energy have an ambition to make the network net zero by 2030.
The Bradford Energy Network will also significantly reduce air pollution in the city, improving local air quality by replacing gas boilers with low-carbon heat.
The network will deliver a healthier, net zero future for Bradford – enhancing quality of life across the city.
1Energy have already begun construction of the Bradford Energy Network. The network will start supplying low-carbon heat to organisations across the city from summer 2026.
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Bradford
Meet our local Bradford team
Our team consists of experts in designing and installing district heat networks.
Jennifer Belk
Project Director
Rory Langdon
Business Development Manager
Gavin Green
Delivery Director
Grant Moffitt
Head of Safety
Bhavya Patel
Operations Director
Odette Schofield
Project Manager
Ryan Mills
M&E Project Manager
Poppy Drummond
Head of Communications
Latest project updates
Find the most recent news, media coverage and insight around Bradford Energy Network
Want to find out more?
If you’re looking to discuss or find out more about the Bradford Energy Network you can get in touch with out team using the form below. Our local team will get back to you as soon as possible.