Works in your area

The Bedminster heat network begins near the Malago Trading Estate and extends to Mead Street.

The Bedminster heat network has been designed to support planned regeneration in the area, including Bedminster Green and Whitehouse Street regeneration. So far, we have installed heat network pipe in Malago Road, Dalby Avenue and Whitehouse Lane. Our longer-term plans to extend the Bedminster network is in continuous assessment, and will evolve in line with heat demand from buildings connecting to the Bristol heat network. You can view our planned expansion routes here.

The Bedminster heat network supplies heating to new residential and commercial developments in the area. You can explore the interactive map of the heat network which shows all connected buildings by clicking here.

To meet the demands of the buildings on the Bedminster heat network as it develops, heat will be generated using temporary heating solutions. Currently, a temporary energy centre is located on a private plot situated in Dalby Avenue. This is expected to be in place until 2028. We are also currently constructing a new temporary energy centre on a private plot on Whitehouse Street.  This energy centre is expected to be completed and serving heat to developments from spring 2026 to spring 2028.

Longer term, we are hoping to interconnect the Bedminster heat network with other network areas in the city centre, so we can share heat generated from other existing permanent energy centres in Bristol.

In 2026, we are planning to install heat network pipes underneath Bedminster Green. This section of work is subject to discharging a final planning condition with Bristol City Council’s oversight.

Why do you need to go across the Green?

A tunnel needs to be created underneath the surface of the Green to install the buried pipe network to join the existing networks along Whitehouse Lane and Dalby Avenue. Once completed, the Green will be maintained as normal.

 

How was the route across the Green chosen?

An extensive route assessment was completed, which reviewed the presence of existing buried utilities that cannot be moved, ongoing highways work, and future regeneration plans for the area. We carefully considered alternative routes via Providence Place and Hereford Street, but these locations have significant utility congestion, required increased tree removal and would cause unnecessary disruption for residents and businesses locally. The Green crossing was therefore determined as the only viable route.

 

What will happen to the trees?

We have worked very hard to ensure we preserve as many trees as reasonably possible, which was a determining factor as to why we are progressing with the tunnelling solution. After consultation with tree specialists, and a review of the root maturity, it was identified that three trees need to be removed. In line with Bristol City Council’s Tree Replacement Strategy, we will provide 20 new trees offsite. The location of the replacement trees has been determined by the Council’s arboriculturist team in line with the Tree Replacement Strategy.

 

Once installed, will the Green be impacted for routine maintenance?

Ongoing maintenance is limited to specific access points on the Green, similar to other utilities and the Green will not be disrupted.

We are proud to support communities across Bristol and provide improvements to the local area as we construct the network. In Bedminster, this includes working with Windmill Hill City Farm to deliver an enhancement package in early 2026 following the installation of heat network pipe that went through the allotments. We’re providing upgrades such as a resurfaced vehicle path, new entrance gates, enhanced walkways, improved accessibility and replaced perimeter fencing. We’ve also worked in partnership with Dandara Living to fund and build a new cow shed to improve facilities for the animals at the farm.

We continue to work with local groups via the Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund to fund feasibility studies on heat network connection projects in the area. Local businesses and residents can also apply to the fund for other energy efficiency support and projects that are non-heat network related. Visit Bristol City Leap’s website to learn how you can get involved:

There is an ambition to connect existing individual residential houses to heat networks, but the feasibility of doing so is still being explored across the UK. At Vattenfall, our current focus is on connecting new residential and commercial developments, as well as large buildings with high heating demands such as hospitals and universities. These “anchor loads” help justify the investment in building heat network infrastructure in large towns and cities.

While our long-term goal is to extend low carbon heat networks to as many buildings as possible, we need to balance this ambition with what is practical in the short to medium term.  In Bristol, we are exploring pilot projects for connecting existing homes locally to demonstrate technical and economic viability. If you’re interested in being involved in a pilot project, please email bristolbusdev@vattenfall.com.

For advice and information in the UK on home heating solutions, the Energy Saving Trust is a good place to start: Energy advice for your home – Energy Saving Trust

The Frome heat network area is in development, and has plans to serve Bristol city centre with heating and hot water. Once completed, it could pass areas such as Cabot Circus, Broadmead and St Judes.

Our engineering team have completed a number of route assessments, which are continually monitored and reviewed in line with other works happening in the city and heat demand from our future customers. The final route will balance the need for a reliable heat network connection for customers, deliver the least disruption, whilst enabling Bristol City Council to deliver ongoing highway and public transport improvements.

The first pipes were laid for the Frome heat network area in winter 2025 in Fairfax Street. The team is now reviewing potential construction routes and is working with Bristol City Council to align on wider highway and public transport schemes to determine when and where the next phase of construction can take place. You can learn more about upgrades to Bristol’s transport system by visiting Bristol on the move website here.

We expect new developments (residential and commercial) in the area to connect to the heat network, although existing commercial properties can also connect as part of major refurbishment works or heating system upgrades. Currently, individual homes aren’t able to connect to the Bristol heat network as it wouldn’t be a cost‑effective option for you as customers, or for us as the provider. We’re continuing to explore ways to make this possible in the future.

Will you construct any energy centres in the Frome heat network area?’ question: To supply heat to connected buildings, we will utilise existing energy centre assets and/or temporary energy centre solutions. Eventually, new permanent energy centres could be required, but right now our focus is on installing the buried network.

The Old Market and Redcliffe network areas were the first sections of heat network infrastructure installed under Bristol City Council ownership. You can explore the route and connected buildings here.

Heat is generated using three permanent energy centres – Castle Park Energy Centre (a 3MW water-source heat pump), 100 Temple Street (a Combined Heat and Power unit) and Broughton House (biomass).

There are several projects in the area including the Redcliffe Pipe Replacement Project, which will include the installation of the heat network through the now disused pedestrian underpass, and the Friary extension. Please see below for project specific information.

We have been replacing the existing heat network pipes that supply the Bristol City Council Redcliffe housing blocks. This will improve the performance of the heat network and enable us to operate and maintain the system better, with upgrades that will help us find and fix any leaks.  Works began in March 2025 and is expected to finish in May 2026. These essential upgrades have been funded by Vattenfall, with additional support from central government as part of the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme. Local residents are not paying any proportion of these costs and it is not included in Bristol City Council’s council tax.

 

Why have you installed pipe through the A38 Redcliffe Hill pedestrian underpass?

Bristol City Council Redcliffe housing blocks are situated either side of the A38 Redcliffe Roundabout. For us to upgrade the heat network infrastructure that supplies heating and hot water to all buildings, we needed to cross the road. To avoid highway disruption, and to utilise existing available space that would have otherwise be wasted, we are working with Bristol City Council to agree to put pipes through the Redcliff Hill pedestrian underpass. This underpass was permanently closed to the public in June 2025 to accommodate the redevelopment of the highway. You can find out more on Bristol City Council’s transport plans here: travelwest.info/projects/bristol-city-centre-transport-changes.

We are installing new network pipes between the roundabout outside Regus House and the Meads Reach Bridge in order to connect existing and new buildings along the Friary. This work is taking place between January 2026 and June 2026. This extension to the Bristol heat network will also allow Vattenfall to connect the Old Market and Redcliffe network areas by 2027.

 

Will the Friary Extension cause any distribution?

Our contractors will usually be on site between 8am and 7pm, and there will be some noise during construction activity. Access to businesses will be maintained at all times, and the cycle and pedestrian footpath will be temporarily merged.

The Temple heat network area will be east of Bristol Temple Meads, starting north of Avon Street and finish south of Albert Road.

Construction of the Temple heat network started in summer 2024 and is set to finish in winter 2026. Currently, the team has or is installing the heat network in Silverthorne Lane, Gas Lane, Feeder Road, Avon Street, Albert Road and Temple Island.

We installed nearly 150m of heat network pipe in summer 2024. Due to a historic wall in the area, work was temporarily suspended whilst a solution is found for the safe removal and reconstruction of a grade two listed wall. Currently the University of Bristol is working with Historic England to find a resolution.

We completed works to install almost 150m of heat network pipe in Gas Lane in July 2025, connecting new student accommodation which is being developed by Watkin Jones.

We will be installing heat network pipe in Freestone Road between spring and autumn 2026 to connect properties being developed by Watkin Jones.

We have installed heat network pipe in Feeder Road, which enabled us to connect the existing Temple Island heat network (installed by Bristol City Council under their previous ownership) to Bristol Temple Quarter. This allows us to provide heating to the University of Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Centre, and nearby student accommodation. You can read about our unique energy partnership with the University of Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Centre here.

From summer 2026, we will begin the installation of a new air-source heat pump, which will be a low carbon semi-permanent energy centre. This is expected to be operational from the autumn.

Works to install heat network pipe will be completed in winter 2026, including towards the north along Avon Street Crossing underneath the railway bridge; as well as Marsh Bridge Crossing towards the south connecting to Albert Road. This stretch of pipe will allow us to link up the Temple heat network area with the existing Old Market heat network area, connecting new student accommodation along the way.

Works to install heat network pipe started in autumn 2025 and is expected to be completed by winter 2026, providing heating and hot water to new residential developments in the area, as part of Bristol Temple Quarter.

Bristol City Council has already installed a heat network in Temple Island, under previous plans to build an arena in the area. Now the site has been bought by Legal & General with plans set to regenerate the area with new residential, commercial and social spaces. You can find out more here.

We will adopt this heat network and ultimately own and operate it in the future. By adopting this heat network we can distribute low carbon heat from a new permanent energy centre we’re planning to develop developing on Bath Road, through the entirety of the Temple network area and beyond to the Old Market heat network area.

The Temple heat network will primarily support the development of Bristol Temple Quarter which includes University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, the future development of Temple Island and new nearby buildings. Connected buildings will be new homes, offices, educational facilities, as well as leisure and social spaces. Find out more about what new buildings are proposed for the area here.

Whilst we bring forward plans for our permanent energy centre in the Temple area (Bath Road Energy Centre), we are utilising temporary heating solutions. Currently, heat is being generated using biofuels (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, known as HVO). This will then be replaced in the autumn by a semi-permanent solution which will use air-source heat pump technology for a further two years. We are also working to interconnect the Temple network area with Old Market and Redcliffe network areas, which will enable us to use heat generated by other existing permanent energy centres, including the water-source heat pump at Castle Park Energy Centre.

An energy centre is a facility that generates energy for a heating system, like the Bristol heat network. We operate energy centres in Bristol already, like Castle Park Energy Centre, England’s largest harbour-based water source heat pump to provide low carbon heating and hot water to homes and businesses.

How much low carbon heat will Bath Road Energy Centre produce?

The proposed energy centre is set to produce 13MW of low carbon heat generated by an air source heat pump. Once constructed the energy centre would produce heating and hot water for up to 7,085 homes and reduce carbon emissions by up to 65%, when compared to a traditional gas boiler.

 

Where will the energy centre be located?

The proposed site for the energy centre is situated adjacent to Bath Road (A4), one of the main routes into and out of Bristol city centre and lies at the boundary of the future development area of Temple Island. The site will be tucked in between Bristol Temple Meads railway lines, Bath Road and the neighbouring community of Totterdown to the south.

 

Why was this location selected?

The location balances the need for it to be close to existing energy infrastructure and the buildings it is serving, whilst minimising interference with local residents and businesses. We wanted to place the energy centre in an industrial setting so the functionality and architecture of the building could be integrated within the surrounding area. Located next to Bristol Temple Meads, the energy centre will proudly sit next to a bustling transport hub that celebrates the industrial heritage of the city. The building seeks to reflect this context, creating a piece of modern civic industrial architecture for Bristolians, commuters and visitors.

 

How will the Bath Road Energy Centre work?

Once constructed, the Bath Road Energy Centre will generate low carbon heating and hot water for the Bristol heat network using air source heat pump technology (ASHP). ASHP technology works by absorbing heat from the air and transferring it to a fluid refrigerant. This fluid passes through a compressor, which raises the fluid’s temperature to between 70-75°C. The warm water is distributed through the heat network to connected properties, where it is used to provide heating and hot water.

The Bath Road Energy Centre will also have thermal stores on site. These thermal stores function in a similar way to hot water tanks by storing any excess heat that is generated. When the demand for heating and hot water is higher, heat will be taken from the thermal stores and top up the Bristol heat network to provide sufficient heating to homes and businesses.

 

What will the energy centre look like?

The energy centre is expected to be three storeys tall (almost 19 metres). The ground floor and first floor will host the heat generation equipment, whilst the screened roof area will contain the fan units, which are used to extract heat from the surrounding air. Adjacent to the main building will be two thermal storage tanks, which look like large cylinders and will also be screened from view.

 

When will construction start?

Once planning has been granted in early 2026, we will take some time to assess the construction timeline. Where possible, we will work with other organisations to align with planned works in the area. Updates about the construction timeline will be shared as soon as they are available.

 

Who will be responsible for its operation and maintenance?

Vattenfall is the owner and operator of the Bristol heat network, so we will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of this energy centre. More information about Vattenfall and the Bristol heat network can be found here.

 

Were the community informed and consulted about the planning application for the energy centre?

As part of our planning application, we shared and consulted on the energy centre plan with the Bristol community in April 2025. Local residents, businesses and community groups were given the opportunity to learn more about why the energy centre is needed, how it will work and what can be expected from the development of the energy centre both now and in the future.

 

What will the impact be on local residents?

The site selection for this energy centre, along with the proposed positioning of the building itself within the wider site, has been selected with our neighbours in mind with a specific focus on mitigating any visual and noise impact. With this considered, the impact on local residents will be minimal. Beyond the tree line, the nearest neighbouring residential area is Totterdown on the hill above the site. Once constructed, residents here could expect to look down upon the energy centre, when viewed through the existing dense tree canopy.

 

Will the energy centre be noisy?

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) have fan units that produce some noise but are typically quiet. The fans for this energy centre will be at roof height and therefore away from the nearest point that the public will interact with the building, which is the public highway (Bath Road) either from within a vehicle, or as a pedestrian or cyclist.

 

What is the impact of the energy centre on air quality?

The Bath Road Energy Centre will be low carbon, with no negative impact on air quality once operational.

 

How will traffic along Bath Road be affected?

The energy centre will have its own dedicated access road located within the site’s boundary. This will join onto Bath Road via the existing entrance into the site, located to the south of the main railway bridge. Once in operation, the energy centre will not generate more road traffic.

 

Where is the low carbon heating going to and who is it benefitting?

The Bristol heat network currently provides heating and hot water to large buildings, both new and existing buildings, which tend to be residential developments and office blocks. However we have also connected public service buildings like Temple Fire Station, Central Health Clinic and Hannah Moore Primary School.

With this in mind, heat generated from the Bath Road Energy Centre will be primarily supporting new buildings which are being built as part of the Bristol Temple Quarter development. These will mostly be new residential housing blocks, offices and educational facilities. By providing low carbon heating and hot water to new buildings in the area, this will significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to Bristol City Council’s decarbonisation targets.

 

Can local residents get heating and hot water from the energy centre?

At the moment, individual homes are unable to connect to the Bristol heat network and receive heating from the Bath Road Energy Centre. There is an ambition to connect existing individual residential houses to heat networks, but the feasibility of doing so is still being explored across the UK. At Vattenfall, we are however actively exploring pilot projects for connecting existing, individual dwellings to demonstrate technical and economic viability in the market. Local residents who are interested in being involved in a pilot project are encouraged to email us at bristolbusdev@vattenfall.com.

For advice and information in the UK on home heating solutions, the Energy Saving Trust is a good place to start: Energy advice for your home – Energy Saving Trust.