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We are sharing a powerful and open conversation between Mike Cooke and Simon Jones about something that affects over 50% of the population, and highlights…

Your health comes first – no deadline is more important than your wellbeing.

Support makes a difference – knowing you have colleagues who listen and genuinely care can help more than you think.

Talking matters – sometimes, a simple conversation can be the first step toward getting the support you need.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to Simon for wanting to share his story and for reminding us all why prioritising our health is so important. Watch the video in full here:

Take a moment today to show appreciation for your colleagues and check in with those around you.

Lancaster University marked a major decarbonisation milestone this week with a groundbreaking event at the site of its new Net Zero Energy Centre.

Situated on the outer edge of its south east Lancaster campus, the Net Zero Energy Centre is part of a sector leading renewable energy project to virtually eliminate the use of gas to heat its Lancaster campus.

The Net Zero Energy Centre is being delivered by local, renewable energy company Vital Energi and the event highlighted Lancaster University’s continued progress on its ambitious Net Zero Energy Project.

The new centre will house an innovative array of state-of-the-art air and water source heat pumps totalling 7 megawatts along with a 1 megawatt e-boiler, generating a projected 39-Gigawatt hours (GWh) of low carbon heat, enough to heat 95% of campus buildings. The centre will also include 1,500 cubic metres of thermal stores which will supplement the new heat supply and help ensure consistent heat during peak times of the day.

A visitor facility will also be incorporated into the design of the new energy centre. This will feature an educational meeting room for visitors from the University and other universities, local schools and community groups with an interest in sustainable energy, specifically heat pump technology.

To carry the heat across campus, 6.5km of district heating pipework is also being installed to increase the network’s coverage from approximately 65% of buildings to 95%. This will connect 247 buildings and properties to the district heat network to receive low-carbon heat and water. The project is expected to be complete in early 2027.

Lancaster University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield led the event on the site of the new energy centre, bringing together members of the University community including the project team, researchers, the contractor, and suppliers.

Lancaster University has been awarded more than £21 million of funding from the Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), which is being matched by the University to develop the Net Zero Energy Centre.

Scott Lutton, Regional Director, at Vital Energi said: “The new energy centre, utilising air and water source heat pump technology will save 2,700 tonnes of carbon annually, making a significant contribution to Lancaster University’s journey towards carbon neutrality. As part of this project, we have worked closely with Lancaster University and AECOM to engage and raise awareness of the benefits of the energy centre with the Lancaster University community, through career events, outreach, and skills development initiatives. Additionally, Vital Energi, the University, and AECOM have committed to creating 42 local jobs, 73 UK-wide positions, and providing 12 apprenticeships and graduate opportunities, further strengthening our ties with the wider Lancaster community.”

The Net Zero Energy Centre is the latest addition to Lancaster University’s extensive portfolio of pioneering sustainability projects, reflecting its long-standing commitment to sustainability.

Construction has officially begun on a landmark large-scale mine water heat project, building on our ongoing efforts to harness geothermal heat from disused coal mines. By utilising water already being pumped to the surface, this project marks a crucial step forward in expanding renewable heat solutions across former coalfield areas.

The Energy Centre being built directly next to the Mining Remediation Authority’s Dawdon Mine Water Treatment Scheme in County Durham, will tap into the mine water already being treated there. The mine treatment scheme will now provide heat for a new housing development as well as protecting a vital drinking water source.

Seaham Garden Village is a new mixed-use sustainable community located to the south of Seaham.  The Garden Villages comprises 1,500 homes, a new primary school, village centre and innovation hubs.  The Garden Village will be built over the next 10 years.

The district heat network project has been led by Durham County Council, with the Mining Remediation Authority spearheading the development of the mine water heating initiative. Multiple organisations have been involved including Karbon Homes, which is now set to provide 750 affordable homes on the site and has led the way in adopting the mine water heat technology. Vital Energi has been appointed to design, build and operate the low-carbon system. They will run the district heat network for the next 40 years.

The project has benefited from a grant from the Government’s Heat Networks Investment Project which has enabled the project to be delivered.

Seaham Garden Village will offer a thriving, sustainable new community on Durham’s heritage coast and play a vital role in local growth. The state-of-the-art energy centre will capture the geothermal heat from the warm mine water, which remains at a stable underground temperature. This heat will be upgraded to domestic heating levels via a heat pump, delivering low cost and low carbon heat to new Karbon homes.

The Dawdon scheme began treating mine water in 2009 and the Mining Remediation Authority has been researching the possibility of ‘bolting on’ the heat feature to these treatment sites as part of their pioneering work in the geothermal arena.

This new development follows the success of the Gateshead scheme, the UK’s first large-scale mine water heat network, which began providing heat to homes and businesses in March 2023, as well as another pioneering privately funded scheme nearby at Lanchester Wines warehouses.  Unlike Seaham Garden Village, the Gateshead projects used boreholes, which were drilled up to 150 metres underground to tap into water in disused mines.

“With over 80 mine water treatment schemes across the UK, we see great potential to deliver dual-purpose facilities that protect water supplies and generate renewable heat,” Mr. Bond added. “Whether accessing mine water heat via our treatment schemes or boreholes the Mining Remediation Authority are proud to offer innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions by repurposing the amazing UK coal-mining heritage.”

Construction work to build the energy centre and connect the houses at the Seaham Garden Village development is expected to take around four months.

Cllr Mark Wilkes, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: “We are delighted to have started work on what will be the UK’s first large-scale mine water heat project that uses a mine water treatment scheme, right here in County Durham.

“This innovative project will have significant environment benefits – making use of currently untapped heat to keep houses warm, and potentially a school and innovation hubs, and in doing so avoiding the need to use non-renewable sources of energy.

“The affordable properties will also provide a welcome boost to county residents looking to get on the housing ladder; while the prospect of more homes, a school and innovation hubs in the future will attract people looking for somewhere to live, families and those seeking work.

“A lot of planning has gone into this in recent years involving a number of organisations and it’s therefore really exciting to have all the necessary agreements in place and work starting on the ground.”

Paul Fiddaman, chief executive at Karbon Homes, added: “It’s fantastic to partner with Durham County Council and the Mining Remediation Authority to connect our homes to this innovative low-carbon heat system.”

Sustainable energy solutions developer, Vital Energi, has partnered with Transport for London (TfL) in 5-year framework agreement, with the option to extend, to deliver a greener future for the capital.

the partnership, which was secured through the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) Re:fit framework, will see Vital Energi undertake energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects across TfL’s extensive property portfolio, which comprises over 3,000 properties.

Work has already begun on the  projects under the agreement. One involves upgrading the LED lighting at Therapia Lane tram depot near Croydon, before implementing a host of additional energy solutions to remove the depot’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Another project will see gas boilers replaced with heat pumps at Palestra House, Oxford Circus House, and Victoria House. There will also be heating, cooling, and controls improvements at Palestra House, along with the upgrade of more than 9,000light fittings to LED.

Vital Energi’s decarbonisation expertise will play a crucial role in helping TfL reduce its carbon footprint and work towards London’s ambitious goal of becoming net zero by 2030.

As part of Vital Energi’s commitment to enhancing communities and leaving a lasting impact in the areas in which their projects are delivered, they will work closely with TfL to deliver a number of social value initiatives. They are also teaming up with London Transport Museum to deliver climate education talks in local primary and secondary schools.

Closing the green skills gap so the UK can achieve decarbonisaton targets is a high priority for all industry organisations, so after recently opening applications for their next cohort of net zero apprentices, Vital Energi is looking to recruit local talent, with apprentices working on a rotation around the business and engaging with TfL projects. Apprentices will have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, while learning from industry experts and playing an active role in this suite of TfL projects.

Kyrel Rose recently kicked off his green career after joining Vital Energi as a net zero apprentice.

Scott Lutton, Regional Director at Vital Energi, said:

“Our collaborative partnership with TfL builds on shared values and a commitment to sustainability. Our mission to protect our planet for future generations is fully aligned with TfL’s vision of a greener city, and we’re looking forward to teaming up with them in a joint effort to combat climate change.

“Partnerships like this are key to creating opportunities for apprentices and fostering the next generation of green professionals, as they gain valuable insights into cutting-edge technologies and decarbonisation strategies. We’re dedicated to helping close the green skills gap and ensuring that learning and development opportunities are accessible to all.”

With vast experience delivering projects in live operational environments, Vital Energi will liaise closely with TfL to ensure that work is carried out with minimal disruption to staff and operations, as TfL continues to operate its normal services.

These first two phases have been awarded grant funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which is administered by Salix on behalf of the Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Vital Energi supports TfL in decarbonising its operations and creating a more sustainable transport network for London.

A new heat pump system, LED lighting upgrades and insulation measures will be introduced at Walsall Manor Hospital as part of a £12.5 million “green” investment.

Vital Energi has partnered with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to deliver an innovative decarbonisation project that will reduce the Trust’s carbon footprint by 1,200 tonnes each year.

Thanks to funding from Phase 3B of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), Vital Energi will implement a range of energy solutions across the hospital site, from heat pumps to LED lighting upgrades.

The scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix.

As well as reflecting the Trust’s dedication to environmental sustainability and enhancing the hospital’s energy efficiency, this project will support the NHS in achieving its goal of net zero by 2040.

Serving a population of around 270,000 across Walsall and surrounding areas, Walsall Manor will benefit from low-carbon heating, which will be supplied via a 1MW heat pump system.

Heat pumps take low-grade heat from the ground, water or air and boost it to higher temperatures to make it useable for heating.

Almost 4,000 light fittings will also be upgraded to LED, which will significantly reduce energy consumption. Pipework insulation will be upgraded to improve energy efficiency across the site, and replacement windows will ensure heat loss from the buildings is reduced.

The team from Vital Energi will also build a new plant room in a courtyard to house Air Handling Units (AHUs) for newly refurbished respiratory theatres.

Steve Black, Account Director at Vital Energi, said: “This project represents a major step towards making Walsall Manor Hospital a more sustainable and energy-efficient facility, and we are proud to support the Trust in its mission to create a greener healthcare environment.

“Once complete, the project will support the Trust in its sustainability efforts, and contribute to the NHS’ overall net zero goal.”

Director of public sector decarbonisation at Salix, Ian Rodger, said: “We’re pleased to work with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to help meet its net zero targets.

“Walsall Manor Hospital is a busy site and this work is part of enabling it to reduce its carbon footprint. This will not only create  a site that is more energy efficient but a hospital that is more comfortable for patients, the teams and visitors.”

Completion is scheduled for October 2025.

Commercial Heat Pumps are an ideal renewable energy solution for those with a high demand for heating, cooling, and hot water, and they are playing a key role in our transition to net zero. When it comes to choosing the right one to suit your organisation or site though, the task can seem daunting as there are so many variables which can affect the performance and efficiency.

Vital Energi’s Elliott Sharpe (Strategy & Partnerships Director), Chris Green (Engineering Director), and Liam Grice (Senior Engineer), have shared 5 key factors you should consider before embarking on your heat pump journey.

Do you have metered data?
Before you take the leap into the world of heat pumps, it’s crucial to get acquainted with one essential element of your building’s energy puzzle: metered data. Why is this data so important? Well, it’s the compass that guides you toward the most efficient solution and best application of your heat pump. 

Imagine buying clothes without knowing your exact size – it’s a gamble. Similarly, choosing a heat pump without metered data or some form of energy data can be a gamble. Accurate energy usage data helps you determine the right-sized heat pump for your building, preventing an oversized or undersized system that can lead to inefficiency and high energy bills.

Heat pumps are renowned for their energy efficiency, but to truly reap the rewards, you need to know how much energy your building consumes. Metered data helps identify energy waste and inefficiencies, allowing you to address them and maximize the cost savings potential of your heat pump. So, before you embark on your heat pump journey, start with the data – it’s the key to unlocking efficiency, savings, and environmental benefits.

 

Choose your refrigerant wisely
One of the largest factors that determines a heat pump’s efficiency and performance is the working fluid it uses. There is no “one size fits all” refrigerant, so careful consideration over your exact requirements is essential to allow the optimum fluid to be selected.

Think about regulatory requirements too. Impending regulation changes may mean the heat pump can be installed now, however future maintenance challenges may arise, so working fluid selection is critical to make sure the heat pump can be serviced reliably and cost effectively for the life of the product.

Natural working fluids often have a lower environmental impact compared to their synthetic counterparts. They have extremely low global warming potential and do not contain forever chemicals making them a great option to futureproof your heat pump.

 

Check your electrical capacity
Before investing in a heat pump, there’s a crucial step that often gets overlooked but can make or break your decision: checking your building’s/site’s electrical capacity. Understanding your power supply is not just a technicality, it’s a fundamental prerequisite for a successful installation, after all, heat pumps require an electrical power supply to operate.

Investing in and installing a heat pump without assessing your electrical capacity can be risky. By checking your capacity upfront, you eliminate any costly surprises. In some cases, you might discover that your building’s electrical capacity is insufficient for a heat pump. This isn’t necessarily a roadblock, it’s a chance to plan for an upgrade. Upgrading your electrical system can expand your options and allow for expansion of your commercial heat pump solution. 

In conclusion, understanding your building’s electrical capacity is a foundational step in the heat pump journey. It ensures that you know your building/development is ready to cater for your new heat pump solution, as well as identifying any electrical enabling works early, before you make that initial heat pump investment. Don’t let electrical surprises derail your decarbonisation journey—start with a thorough capacity check.

 

What temperature do you need?
A heat pump typically operates at its best when it is delivering lower temperatures. It is important to think about how this heat will be delivered throughout your building. Keeping existing pipework and heat emitters may help to reduce capital spend, however this could well be at the detriment to operational costs.

Do you have any building upgrades planned? Building fabric improvements, new windows, or perhaps an extension? Take these into account when reviewing the temperature and distribution of heat across your premises.

A heat pump is a big investment. Considering these factors in advance will give you the best possible opportunity of it having a long, successful lifespan.

 

Consider your source of energy
Air source heat pumps are often the most straightforward solution for organisations, and can offer fantastic efficiencies and carbon reductions compared to conventional heating systems. However, ask yourself, is there an opportunity to use an energy source with a warmer temperature than air?

Consider whether you can use your surroundings to your advantage. Perhaps this could be a local water source, such as a river or lake. What about ground source? A ground array, borehole or aquifer can provide favourable source conditions. Is there an existing waste heat stream or air source you could use? An industrial process or refrigeration system may be rejecting heat to the ambient air already, recovering this might be the perfect source. Or maybe a combination of any of these?

 

Click here to discover more about heat pumps, and learn about some of the heat pump projects we’ve delivered below.

Queens Quay
London Borough of Southwark Heat Pumps
Northwick Park Hospital

Applications for our next intake of apprentices are now open!

We’re holding two open days during National Apprenticeship Week where students and school leavers are invited to our Blackburn headquarters. They’ll be able to see the offices and facilities, and chat to current apprentices and staff to gain insight into not only the different apprenticeships on offer, but what it’s like to work at Vital Energi.

The open days are taking place on Tuesday 11^th February from 4 – 7:30pm, and Thursday 13^th February from 9:30am – 4pm.

We welcome anyone who is passionate about working on innovative projects that tackle harmful carbon emissions and make a real difference in the world. We’d love you to join us in our mission to protect our planet for future generations.

Our open days involve:

• Touring our state-of-the-art training centre
• Listening to industry experts about the diverse projects we deliver
• Participating in STEM activities
• Connecting with current apprentices to gain valuable insights into life at Vital Energi

There are many apprenticeships on offer, from our award-winning net zero apprenticeship programmes, energy modelling, and finance, to business admin, and HR.

This is truly an exciting and growing industry to be a part of. Not only will you get to work with the latest technologies, and work with industry leaders who are developing groundbreaking tech and IP to transform energy generation and storage, you’ll help different sectors on their transition to net zero. Sectors we work with include healthcare, education, industry, commercial, new build, and existing residential.

As exciting as our projects are, it’s the people who make Vital Energi special and you’ll get to work alongside nationally renowned experts with decades of experience and learn from the very best the industry has to offer.

Our net zero apprenticeship programmes will take apprentices on an energy journey where they will learn and work within the renewable energy and heat network sectors.

We’re delighted to be collaborating with Salford City Council, where our net zero apprentices will complete their curriculum learning.

Allan Milne, Director of Apprenticeships & Employer Engagement at Salford City College Group, said:

“Apprenticeships are an excellent way to launch a successful career in the growing green energy sector. At Apprenticeships at Salford City College, our partnership with Vital Energi ensures that apprentices receive high-quality training from day one, working alongside industry experts on real-world sustainable energy projects. With dedicated support from the college, apprentices gain invaluable skills, achieve industry-recognised qualifications, and build a future-proof career that makes a real impact on the journey to net zero.”

Net Zero Apprentice, Mia Walker, who is on the technical pathway, started her apprenticeship journey last September and has worked across a number of different departments.

“For me, a Vital Energi Apprenticeship has given me the freedom to choose my own path within the company. We are able to experience different disciplines within multiple departments, gaining valuable knowledge from experienced colleagues that offer guidance and room for growth. Whether you have your career mapped out or don’t, there are plenty of opportunities here at Vital.”

If you would like to attend one of our open days, please click here to sign up.

Councillors from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council (RCTC) joined representatives from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) and Vital Energi to celebrate the commencement of works on the new 6MW Coed Ely Solar Farm in South Wales.

Due to an innovative partnership the solar farm will not only reduce the council’s carbon emissions but also help Royal Glamorgan Hospital on its net zero journey.

When complete, the installation will include over 9,400 panels and be capable of generating 6MWh/year of electricity. Crucially, it will play a key role in helping both Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Royal Glamorgan Hospital by reducing emissions by over 7,300 tonnes over the project’s lifetime.

Councillor Leyshon continues, “By supplying the Royal Glamorgan Hospital with low-carbon electricity, we’re helping to reduce its carbon footprint, making the project even more beneficial and directly supplying our local NHS.”

“Additionally, with the site’s reclaimed colliery tip unsuited for agriculture, this project shows how land can be repurposed for clean energy while still supporting local biodiversity. Grazing rights for animals will continue, demonstrating that solar energy projects can coexist with farming and enhance biodiversity.”

5MW of low-carbon electricity will be exported to the grid, whilst 1MW will be exported to Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

Mark Williams, Vital Energi Partnerships Director explained, “Wales has a strong commitment to meeting its net zero goal and it’s projects and partnerships, like this solar farm, which are bringing us closer to those targets. This is a great demonstration of how the public sector can work together to deliver creative solutions to combat the climate emergency. The core reason we recently opened a dedicated office in Swansea and are expanding our workforce in Wales is so that we can better support our clients as they create more of these fantastic low-carbon schemes.”

Linda Prosser, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation and Executive Lead for Decarbonisation across Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, commented: “We are delighted that on peak summer days the whole hospital will be powered by solar energy. This will have a significant positive impact on our decarbonisation and ‘Green CTM’ commitments and how we can deliver healthcare in a sustainable way for future generations. However, this scheme is not the end of the story at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and we will be delivering more renewables and low carbon technologies in future to further decarbonise the hospital’s energy demands.

Additionally we are proud to work with our partners at RCTCBC and believe that this scheme is a great example of positive collaboration and partnership working between Health Board and Local Authority.”

The Coed Ely Solar Farm, built on a reclaimed colliery site, showcases how former industrial land can be repurposed for renewable energy generation. The project also includes biodiversity enhancements such as wildlife boxes and habitat corridors, ensuring ecological benefits alongside energy production.

The project is being delivered by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, with Vital Energi acting as the main contractor, supported by Hydrock and Rhomco.

Vital Energi has partnered with Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust on a £15.1m project to reduce the carbon emissions at Northampton General Hospital by 3,445 tonnes a year through the installation of the latest energy solutions.

To accelerate the Trust’s transition to net zero by their target of 2040, Vital Energi has replaced the old steam infrastructure with a modern low-temperature-hot-water (LTHW) system across the whole of the hospital estate.  A 600kW heat pump provides heat into the new LTHW system which in turn provides low carbon heat to all buildings.

The project includes a 500kW solar PV array and upgrades to the BMS systems to improve the thermal efficiency of the secondary heating and hot water systems across the hospital estate, as well as optimising the performance of the new heat pump system.

Vital View has also been installed, which is a BMS performance monitoring system to help deliver continuous improvement and drive energy efficiency, carbon reduction and help enhance future projects through gaining a detailed understanding of building operations and usage characteristics.

These solutions will have a significant impact on the overall energy performance and carbon emissions of the hospital.

The project received grant funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which is administered by Salix Finance on behalf of the Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

Salix Relationship Manager, Hira Raashid, added: “As an enabler for these grant allocations, and as a liaison point for stakeholders, we are delighted to see the completed energy improvement outcomes at Northampton General Hospital after several years of work.”

The project has been delivered through the Carbon and Energy Fund Framework (CEF), which has been specifically created to fund complex energy infrastructure upgrades for public sector organisations.

Bolton Wanderers in the Community invited Ashley, Sarah and Francesca from Vital Energi pitch side to mark their headline sponsorship for the Bolton Community 10K and Family 2k for 13^th April 2025.

Running for the second year, the Bolton Community 10K and the introduction of the Family 2K for 2025 bring together people from across the North West promoting togetherness and supporting local charities across the region.

Vital Energi have a continued commitment to delivering value that goes beyond the implementation of their low carbon solutions. Already on board as a Community Partner of the charity the new sponsorship deal furthers their work towards making an impact on the lives of residents across Bolton.

The Bolton Community 10k returns with its closed road route starting and finishing at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Participants are encouraged to walk, jog or run to raise funds for either Bolton Wanderers in the Community or a charity of their choice. The introduction of the Bolton Family 2K for 2025 expands the charity’s aim in supporting our community by inviting schools and local grass roots teams to take part and raise funds for their own causes.

There’s still time to join us for the Bolton Community 10K and Family 2K. Entries close 23^rd March 2024. Book your space HERE.