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Work is now complete on the build of the Paul Younger Centre, Hebburn’s Renewable Energy Centre, which will now provide renewable heat to buildings and residents in the town.

The new modern building, located in the heart of the town on land off Victoria Road West, houses a two stage 450kw air to water source heat pump solution which takes ambient heat from the air and converts it into low-temperature-hot-water to provide reliable, low carbon heating.

The project has been delivered by South Tyneside Council in partnership with Vital Energi and Driver Group.

The air source heat pumps have allowed the council to reduce its reliance on traditional, gas-fired boilers, help to cut carbon emissions by approximately 320 tonnes per year and significantly contributed to the Council’s climate change aspirations of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Alongside the design and build of the energy centre, Vital Energi has also installed a district heating network which distributes heat to the customers including the residents of Durham Court and Hebburn Central Leisure Centre, with potential for further connections to be added in the future.

Electricity generated locally using solar panels and a Combined Heat and Power unit is helping to power the system.

The building is named after Hebburn-born Professor Paul Younger, one of the region’s pioneering scientists, who played a key role in the bid to make Newcastle a City of Science and Technology.

The scheme, which secured over £4.8million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund, has been developed in collaboration with the Coal Authority and Durham University.

Mae'r dudalen hon ar gael yn y Gymraeg yma.

20 children from Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tonyrefail stepped out of their classes and into a day of renewable energy, engaging with a trip to the impressive 9,400 panel Coed Ely solar farm and an interactive session with Rhondda Cynon Taff’s Eco Avengers Programme.

The students learned about renewable energy production and witnessed first-hand how the solar farm operated, generating 6MW of electricity, 1MW of which is exported to the nearby Royal Glamorgan Hospital.  The team from Vital Energi and RCT were there to help children understand how the installation will reduce carbon emissions by 7,300 tonnes over its lifecycle and why that’s important for the climate and the planet.

Lisa Martin, Social Value and Customer Care Manager for Vital Energi explains “Vital Energi’s core mission is to protect our planet for future generations, so an event like this really brings home how important projects like the Coed Ely Solar Farm are in bringing children on a journey with us to build awareness, empower their understanding and inspire action for a sustainable future.”

In addition to the tour, pupils attended RCT Council’s Eco Avengers Workshop, which involved creating their own renewable energy superheroes, teaching children the pros and cons of different non-renewable and renewable energy sources, whilst also discussing what energy we use in our everyday lives. At the end of the workshop, pupils were awarded a certificate of participation stating that they are now officially part of the Eco Avengers.

The school visit is the latest social value initiative on the project which has been designed to maximise local economic spend, increase local employment and support local charities to leave a lasting legacy.  Lisa Martin concludes, “We’ve also been lucky enough to tour and donate to the nearby Coalfields Flower Farm gaining a true understanding of their social enterprise and the impact their work has on the mental health, and wellbeing in the community.”

The Leeds PIPES district heating network has marked the latest major milestone in its journey, having connected over 3,000 dwellings across the region since the scheme began back in 2018.

Asserting itself as one of the fastest growing and largest heat networks in the UK, the scheme connects circa 55 individual buildings across multiple sectors, including student living and social housing, as well as public and commercial residencies. The network’s rapid growth enables customers across the city to reap the benefits of the network, which provides them with access to more affordable, reliable, low carbon heat and hot water.

Delivered by Vital Energi, in partnership with Leeds City Council and Ener-Vate, the network has connected to 29 key buildings such as St James’s Hospital, Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Town Hall and Leeds Beckett University, and has been responsible for the reduction of nearly 6,000 tonnes of carbon in 2023 alone.

The programme has delivered 430 green jobs across the Leeds City region to date, with significant expansion plans signalling further benefits for local people in the near future.

Some of the network’s most recent customers include Leeds Conservatoire and Tec Campus, in addition to occupants in social housing dwellings at Lovell Park. Further development plans are on the horizon, with installations due to be complete by early on properties across Leonora House and at 24-28 Great George Street.

To find out more about the Leeds PIPES network, visit: www.leeds-pipes.co.uk

Work is now complete on our Mechanical Infrastructure and Mechanical Fit Out package for Berkeley’s prestigious West End Gate development, which is situated near Marylebone and Little Venice.

The development comprises four blocks – B, D, E and F which are part of the Affordable Houses and Asquith House blocks. Blocks B and D contain 108 apartments over 10 storeys, whilst blocks E and F are made up of 108 apartments set over 18 floors. The ground floors of each of the four blocks consist of retail spaces and striking entrance lobbies, and the development boasts first-class resident facilities, including a cinema room, private gym, swimming pool and spa.

We delivered essential infrastructure and apartment fit outs across each of the four blocks, which included the installation of low temperature hot water and boosted cold water services within each property, fitting of Heat Interface Units (HIUs), along with chilled pipework, flat duct, internal plumbing, and sprinkler pipework. All wet riser systems, fire stopping systems, and smoke extracts systems have all been fitted and tested t

Apartments have now been handed over to Berkeley Homes, and residents have turned each dwelling into a home.

Work on our £25m project with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is taking shape as we work towards completion at Nottingham City Hospital by the end of the year.

Nottingham City Hospital was the last coal-run hospital site in the UK, so we’ve installed energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies to replace the aged gas and coal fired boilers, and have replaced the old laundry building with a brand-new energy centre. When demolishing the laundry building, we had to ensure the underground plantroom, service ducts and live services running under the demolition area were not affected.

The 287kW solar PV arrays on the roof spaces are installed, commissioned, and now supply electricity to the hospital, and the 350kW air source heat pumps are in situ and ready to be commissioned. We’ve upgraded 6,626 lights across the hospital to LED fittings, which not only reduces energy consumption, but enhances the patient experience in both the wards and common areas too.

We’ve also installed 1.1km of new pipework in the underground service ducts which supply steam, condensate, and low temperature hot water pipework to 36 plantrooms. During the installation, we ensured service of supply was not interrupted and that there was a seamless changeover.

Once complete, this project will reduce the Trust’s carbon footprint by 14,000 tonnes a year, and guarantee energy savings of at least £1.3m a year for the Nottingham City Hospital.

Read more about the project here.

Teams from Vital Energi and Parkinson’s support community, Northern Lights, took to the pitch in a walking football tournament at Witton Park, Blackburn on Friday 26^th July, a highlight for everyone involved for the second consecutive year.

Based in the North West, Northern Lights (NLPD) is a self-funded, voluntary organisation which offers support and help to people with Parkinson’s disease – a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination – and brings people together by introducing them to the joys of walking football.

A great way to stay fit and potentially relieve some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s, walking football also allows participants to learn new skills and make friends with those in a similar situation.

As part of Vital Energi’s commitment to sponsoring the team for the next five years, and after last year’s successful tournament, almost 30 Vital players took to the pitch against teams from NLPD’s walking football club.

Six teams battled it out, and following an intense penalty shootout, NLPDs’ B team was crowned the worthy winner.

Steve Ashworth, member of NLPD who helped establish the relationship with Vital Energi and organised the tournament, said:

“We approached Gary Fielding, back in April 2023 to talk about a possible sponsorship of NLPD. The 2023 football tournament schedule was forecast to be a busy year for NLPD and had the potential to be successful in our quest for trophies.

“Whilst the actual day to day activities can be considered to be miles apart, Vital Energi and NLPD share the same values. They both have a desire and drive to be the best at what they do, in their respective roles within the renewable energy and charitable sectors.

“The inaugural NLPD v Vital Energi match in 2023 set off a relationship that we envisage to be successful for the long term. Whilst there was a significant age difference between the players, there was obvious mutual respect, and that respect has followed through to this year. The guys at Northern Lights are still buzzing about the tournament last week, what a superb day it was.

“NLPD are scheduled to travel to Oslo in September where we’ll be playing against Parkinson’s walking football teams from across Europe to win the Ray Kennedy Cup.”

NLPD Player Spotlight

As a family with their five children, Christine and Keith McIndoe have been living with Parkinson’s for the last 12 years, and through the support of NLPD and an innovative brain implant, they have finally seen light at the end of the tunnel.

Keith, aged 44, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 12 years ago, and after trying all the medication available to no avail and losing his job as he couldn’t control the symptoms, he was put forward for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, which has transformed his outlook on life.

DBS surgery is where fine wires that are inserted into specific areas of the brain, connected to a pulse generator, and when switched on, the electrodes deliver high-frequency stimulation to the targeted area. This stimulation changes some of the electrical signals in the brain that cause the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

“Myself and Keith have been together for 22 years, and the last 12 have really put us to the test as a family,” said Christine. “Keith took the role of stepdad to my eldest children, and grandad to their children, and we also have two boys together, Josh (21) and Lewis (17), both with DiGeorge and Autism.

“Since the successful surgery in 2022, Keith has a completely new lease of life. We’ve fallen back in love, we’ve have just got married following Keith’s proposal last December. And we can’t wait for our honeymoon in Norway in September with the rest of the Northern Lights team!

“NLPD is our family. They have changed our lives, provided us with endless support, we’ve made friends, and are now doing things we didn’t think possible, like going on holiday, and playing in walking football tournaments in Glasgow. If anyone is down or feeling they can’t cope there always someone at NLPD to pick you back up!

“A Parkinson’s diagnosis is not the end, but the beginning. No matter what you have on in your life, we can still fight and continue to be happy!”

During the tournament, the tombola and raffle raised £335. This will go towards the running of the charity, and ensure members like Christine and Keith have a safe haven with unlimited support.

Find out more about NLPD by clicking here.

Teams from Vital Energi and Parkinsons support community, Northern Lights, returned to the pitch last week to take part in our annual walking football tournament at Witton Park, Blackburn.

The tournament is in its third consecutive year, and once again, Northern Lights (NLPD) took home the trophy. NLPD A team took the top spot and Vital Energi Team C finished as runners-up.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part, whether you played in the tournament, cheered from the sidelines, or took part in the raffle, which raised an amazing £426 for the charity.

Vital Energi’s Chairman, Gary Fielding, was at the tournament cheering from the sidelines.

“It was fantastic to see teams from Vital and Northern Lights take to the pitch for our third annual walking football tournament,” said Gary. “It was great to see the energy, camaraderie, and team spirit from both sides from start to finish.

“As part of our five-year sponsorship commitment, it’s fantastic to be able to support events like this, not just for the fun, but for the incredible charity behind it and raising awareness of Parkinson’s. Maybe next year, we’ll be celebrating with the trophy too!”

We’ve received lots of lovely messages from Northern Lights members which shows that this tournament is definitely a highlight of their year.

“Norman and I would like to thank Vital Energi for their hospitality as always, your support for our group is truly outstanding and is very much appreciated. Our lads love taking part in this tournament and look forward to it each year, the camaraderie that takes place within all teams is amazing they are made to feel so welcome,” said Mary Stead, Trustee of the charity whose husband Norman was diagnosed with Parkinsons 14 years ago.

Steve Ashworth, member of NLPD who helped establish the relationship with Vital Energi, said:

“I have to say it is an absolute pleasure to be involved with, and great to see all the guys catching up on the business and personal exploits from the previous 12 months. The respect shown by all, really is second to none…..long may that continue. In that regard, we are all thankful to Gary for allowing the game to take place. And so, another successful tournament has been celebrated, and we now look forward to the 2026 event.”

A special thank you to Asif Asvat who organised the teams and delivered a great speech at the beginning of the tournament.

“My highlight was definitely giving the opening speech to everyone at the start of the tournament and just seeing another successful, friendly tournament come together,” said Asif. “It was a great atmosphere all round!”

Based in the North West, NLPD is a self-funded, voluntary organisation which offers support and help to people with Parkinson’s disease – a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination – and brings people together by introducing them to the joys of walking football.

A great way to stay fit and potentially relieve some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s, walking football also allows participants to learn new skills and make friends with those in a similar situation.

Find out more about NLPD by clicking here.

NHS Tayside are continuing their ambitious decarbonisation works with a major energy efficiency scheme which will revolutionise how they generate and use energy across three of their sites whilst saving an estimated 3,427 tonnes of carbon emissions over the project’s life expectancy.

The project, which is scheduled for completion by Spring 2025, will see a range of energy conservation measures installed, each designed to deliver maximum carbon savings:

• 269 rooftop solar PV panels across three sites, generating a total of139kWp.
• 5 heat pumps installed across three buildings, with a total output of 300kW.  These will also include 20,000l of combined thermal storage.
• Improved insulation to reduce heat loss.
• Upgraded heating controls for optimised energy use.
• Replacement of 9 doors and 124 windows across two of the buildings.
• Upgrading 382 light fittings to modern LED fittings and installing intelligent controls.

Works will be carried out at Abbey Health Centre in Arbroath, Westgate Health Centre in Dundee and St. Margaret’s Hospital in Auchterader, Perthshire.  Crucially, Vital Energi will deliver an energy performance contract which guarantees key performance indicators such as financial and carbon savings.  All savings will be independently verified by a third party as part of the contract.

The works are aligned with the Scottish Government’s target for public sector organisations reaching net zero by 2040 and eliminating fossil fuelled heating by 2038.  The project has received £3.2m in funding from the Green Public Sector Estate Decarbonisation Scheme (GPSEDS).

This new project follows a major 18-month scheme delivered by Vital Energi in 2015 where we delivered energy upgrades across several of NHS Tayside’s sites including a major energy centre upgrade at Ninewells Hospital and energy conservation measures at Perth Royal Infirmary and Stracathro Hospital.