Workstream #1 - Buildings and energy
1.1: The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) detailed design work is complete, and contracts will be awarded by mid-October. The contract period closes in March 2022 and there is an ongoing risk that some delivery may potentially not meet the deadline, so this is being closely monitored.
These works to decarbonise heat and increase renewable energy generation capacity will be carried out in 12 Council buildings:
- Town Hall Extension
- Aquatics Centre
- National Cycling Centre
- Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre
- East Manchester Leisure Centre
- Hough End Leisure Centre
- Moss Side Leisure Centre
- North City Family and Fitness Centre
- Wythenshawe Forum
- The Sharp Project
- The Space Project
- Zion Arts Centre.
On the Unlocking Clean Energy Project, consultants have developed the specification for the works at the National Cycling Centre. There is an issue with access to the carpark area for the installation of the solar photovoltaic (PV) car ports and this is being closely monitored.
The Estates Programme (Phase 1) has three sites left to complete and is on schedule for the end of the financial year.
- The installation of solar PV is on site at the Sharp Project and the LED detailed design is complete subject to approval.
- The Space Project solar PV design is being finalised.
- The LEDs are in design for Bellevue Leisure Centre. Whilst the Football and Tennis Centre is still in use as a vaccine centre, solar PV’s have been installed and will be connected, along with the installation of LEDs as access permits.
- The Hydro Zero boiler at Gorton Library has been fully commissioned and is operational. The technology is an early development and the delivery company need to build capacity to develop a market ready product.
1.6: A Civic Quarter Heat Network (CQHN) site visit took place with the non-executive directors on 3 August. Contracts with Manchester Heat Network TradeCo Limited, who will operate the facility on behalf of the Council, have been finalised. Gas connectivity experienced delays and is now scheduled for late September.
1.7: A funding submission is being prepared and will be presented to the Strategic Capital Board before the end of 2021-22 with the funding opportunities anticipated post COP26.
1.8: The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator (SHDFD) change request for an extension has been agreed. Financial closure will now be 31 March 2022 with works to complete by 30 June 2022. Work is proceeding on 160 One Manchester properties with a 70% take up for heat pumps. On the 8 October, Lord Callanan, the Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility, will be making a site visit. Government has announced a Social Housing Decarbonisation Wave 1 fund, with the intention to utilise the learning from the demonstrator projects, but the timescales conflict, with Wave 1 launching ahead of the completion of the demonstrator projects. The criteria targets properties below EPC Band C, ideally E and F, however Manchester has very few social housing properties in this category due to housing providers upgrading properties following stock transfers. Conditions of the new scheme are being reviewed.
1.12: Manchester Climate Change Partnership’s “Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon New Buildings in Manchester” was published in August. This sets out a proposal for all new buildings in the city to be zero carbon from 2023, without offsetting or a carbon tax. This will be incorporated into the Local Plan process.