Cardiff Heat Network has been named ‘Heat Network Scheme of the Year.’
The award from the UK District Energy Association (UKDEA), recognises the groundbreakingproject’s role in cutting carbon emissions and setting a new benchmark for sustainable energy infrastructure in Wales.
Presented at the UKDEA Awards ceremony in London, the award celebrates heat network projects that demonstrate innovation, overcome significant delivery challenges and set standards for others to follow.
Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning and Transport, Cllr Dan De’Ath said: “Cardiff Heat Network is the first city-scale heat network in Wales and represents a significant investment in the city’s green infrastructure as we continue to respond to the challenge of climate change through our One Planet Cardiff strategy.
“Delivering a project of this scale and complexity is a huge task and the award is fantastic recognition for what has been achieved, but it’s far from the end of the story. We’re already looking to expand the network, protect the city from instability in global energy markets and further reduce the city’s carbon emissions.”
Cardiff Heat Network, which harnesses heat that already exists as a by-product of waste processing procedures and would otherwise go to waste, provided its first heat in November 2025. It now supplies buildings across Cardiff Bay and Butetown, including the Scott Harbour council-owned apartments, Cardiff and Vale College, Nelson House, Tresillian House, and Butetown Community Centre.
The network is now entering its next phase of development, with plans to integrate underground pipework alongside Cardiff’s Crossrail tram project at Callaghan Square, so that buildings in the city centre can benefit from low-carbon heat in the years ahead.
