AN innovative project that will see public sector buildings kept warm by green heat produced has been officially launched.

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, and the Tees Valley Combined Authority have led the development of a £40million Middlesbrough District Energy Network scheme.

The scheme could use some of the waste heat from local industry to warm public sector buildings, delivering energy savings and significant carbon savings while reducing energy costs.

The Tees Valley has been awarded £218,000 from Government to help bring the scheme forward and the hope is that work will begin on the project within two years.

Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital will be the first complex to benefit from the district heating project which will help to deliver 'significant savings to the health trust.

Julian Verity, the hospital's energy manager, said: "We currently spend approximately £4.5m on energy for the hospital and using this system will hopefully, deliver significant savings for the trust."

Over a 40-year lifespan, the project is also expected to reduce the trust's carbon footprint by 8,000 tonnes per year.

The project, to be delivered in partnership with the NHS Trust, Teesside University and Middlesbrough Council, is now entering the procurement stage for a contract to construct and operate the scheme.

Mr Houchen said: “District heating might not mean a great deal to many, but it will help reduce our carbon emissions and save our vital public services money on their energy bills.

“This scheme could save the NHS a tonne of cash on heating, which would then be invested in front-line patient care. It’s a win-win for business, taxpayers and the environment.

“We’ve seen countries such as Denmark take advantage of these schemes and all of the benefits they bring.”

And Siobhan McArdle, Chief Executive, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re leading the way in the NHS when it comes to energy saving and environmental improvements, and this proposed heating initiative will not only help us deliver long term sustainability, but deliver financial savings that can be re-directed to providing care to our patients.”