Three landmark public buildings on Liverpool’s waterfront are set to significantly cut their carbon emissions by joining a pioneering heat network powered by energy drawn from canal water.
Under the new plans, an extended pipeline will connect the Georges Dock Building, the historic Cunard Building, and the Museum of Liverpool, part of National Museums Liverpool (NML), to Peel Group’s Mersey Heat network.
The recently opened Mersey Heat Energy Centre already supplies low-carbon heating to developments including Liverpool Waters, Torus’ Hartley Locks, the Titanic Hotel and the Tobacco Warehouse apartments. The system uses innovative water-source heat pumps to extract renewable energy from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which is then distributed through a network of underground pipes.
The initiative forms part of the Liverpool City Region’s five-year Carbon Action Plan and its wider mission to reach net zero. The Combined Authority recently secured an additional £35 million from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to help decarbonise dozens of other public buildings across the region.
Cllr Anthony Burns, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Net Zero, and Cllr Liam Robinson, Cabinet Member for Innovation, joined representatives from Ener-Vate and contractor Vital Energi last week to mark the official launch of the Mersey Heat Energy Centre.
Cllr Anthony Burns, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Net Zero and Leader of St Helens Council, said:
“Building a cleaner, greener future isn’t just about meeting targets – it’s about improving people’s lives. The Mersey Heat Energy Centre is a fantastic example of how we can use our region’s strengths and ingenuity to cut carbon, lower energy bills, and support jobs in the industries of the future.
“I know the scale of the challenge we’re facing – but also the scale of the opportunity. Projects like this show that we’re serious about hitting our target to be net zero by 2035, at least a decade ahead of the rest of the country, and that the Liverpool City Region is leading the way.”
Councillor Liam Robinson, Cabinet Member for Innovation and Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:
“The launch of the Mersey Heat Energy Centre is a landmark moment in Liverpool City Region’s journey towards a cleaner, greener future.
“It is a visible example of how we are leading the way on low carbon infrastructure, protecting historic buildings, cutting emissions and creating long term green value for our communities.
“Liverpool has long been a leader in climate action, and this project reinforces our commitment to achieving net zero. It’s not just about infrastructure, it’s about creating a legacy of sustainability that benefits our communities, our economy, and our environment.
“I’m proud to see this vision and investment come to life, creating jobs in the emerging green economy. I want to thank all the partners involved for helping Liverpool take another bold step towards a low carbon future.”
Laura Pye, Director of National Museums Liverpool said:
“We are pleased to be taking a positive step forward in our own decarbonisation goals and joining the heat network, which will make Museum of Liverpool one of Liverpool’s public buildings committed to helping the Liverpool City Region become net zero by 2035.”
David Tatton, Investment Director, Peel Group, said:
“Mersey Heat represents Peel Group’s long-standing commitment to investing in Liverpool. This project has been in development for several years and is now a flagship example of low-carbon innovation in the UK. We’re proud that Mersey Heat has the capacity to support the city’s ambitious climate goals, and we’re delighted to have the backing of Liverpool City Council, the Liverpool City Region and the Mersey Pension Fund via its Catalyst Fund.”
While private homes account for most carbon emissions across the region, public buildings contribute around 13% of the total. The city region’s six local authorities, together with the Combined Authority, collectively own more than 600 buildings which produce nearly 77,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
This year, the North West secured almost £117 million through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Wave 4 – more than Greater London and the largest regional award in the country.
The Combined Authority’s £35 million allocation will fund retrofitting projects across dozens of sites, replacing fossil fuel systems with cleaner alternatives such as heat pumps and solar panels. The improvements will include a mix of historic town halls, art galleries, libraries and leisure centres – helping to protect local heritage while cutting emissions for generations to come.
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