Case study: Kielder District Heating Scheme

Amount awarded: £50,000

Although district heating schemes are commonplace in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Finland, Kielder’s wood-fired district heating scheme was a first for the North East.

This project was designed to establish a demonstration district heating scheme fired by wood chips sourced from the country’s largest commercial forest. Biomass heating by its very nature has lower emissions than fossil fuel heating; wood chips contain mostly carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, with no trace of sulphur, therefore it does not contribute to greenhouse emissions.

The wood chip fuel also helped to secure local forestry jobs, while contributing to the Kielder Regeneration Initiative, ensuring the viability of the village in the years to come. This project was match funded from Northumberland Strategic Partnership with £250,000; the European Regional Development Fund, £310,000, Northumberland County Council, £20,000, and Tynedale Council, £11,200. The Forestry Commission also provided in-kind support to the scheme.

Tim Hibbert, Chairman of the Sustainable Development Fund Grant Panel (2002-2008) said, "We are delighted that the sizeable contribution of £50,000 over two years made by the Sustainable Development Fund will benefit local people and the environment. A proportion of the wood to be used will be brash which would otherwise have gone to waste. We are also keen that the potential expansion of the scheme to other communities like Bellingham is investigated. Such projects help to keep the National Park a special place for future generations to enjoy."

Kielder District Heating System