Our Net Zero Delivery Plan

A decorative graphic with yellow and purple shapes that look like sunbeams

To reduce our impact on climate change and reach our net zero target we need to tackle the emissions created by heating and powering our buildings. These make up two thirds of the emissions we need to eliminate.

To do this we need to make changes to our buildings and infrastructure so that they use less energy. We also need to ensure that the energy we use comes from renewable sources.

Our Net Zero Delivery Plan outlines how we can turn the ambition set out in our Pathway to Net Zero into a practical, deliverable plan for our estate.

It outlines the key projects which have been identified to reduce the climate impact of our campus, including:

  1. decarbonising our heating network and upgrading the associated infrastructure across campus;
  2. investing in new renewable energy;
  3. upgrading the Worsley building with heat recovery ventilation and solar panels;
  4. fully electrifying the Brownlee Centre;
  5. and building a new energy centre for the Engineering Cluster of buildings, incorporating the use of geothermal energy;

You can explore these projects further on this page. You can also follow our progress towards net zero in more detail on our Climate Plan Reporting page.

1. Decarbonising our heating network

A tree at night in Chancellors Court lit up with white lights

The majority of buildings on campus are heated from the Generating Station Complex (GSC). This generates both electricity and heat, which is distributed as steam through a network of pipes under campus.

Moving this heating network away from fossil fuels will deliver large scale emissions reductions across our estate. It might sound simple but this is a huge piece of work which is made more complex by the fact that we share the infrastructure with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT).

As well as transitioning to low carbon heat sources we’ll need to change the way heat is distributed into buildings across campus and replace the electricity with self-generated or grid electricity. This work will require close co-ordination with LTHT and may also require an increase in overall campus electrical capacity and electrical infrastructure.

In the meantime, there are opportunities to improve the efficiency of the existing heating infrastructure. With significant volatility in global energy markets and critical infrastructure linked to the network we need to ensure this is done in a way that is sustainable and secure.

Key milestones:

  • Complete: Calculate future energy requirements across campus
  • Complete: Request quote for increased supply from Northern Powergrid
  • In progress: Develop options for improving the efficiency of GSC operations
  • In progress: Develop plans to decarbonise heating network
  • On hold: Place order for increased electrical supply from Northern Powergrid
  • Implement decarbonisation plans for heating network

Latest updates:

  • Quarterly update – Mar-May 2025: Finalised the switch-off of two end-of-life gas fired CHP (combined heat and power) engines within the Generating Station Complex.
  • Quarterly update - Dec-Feb 2025: Placed an order with Northern Powergrid (NPG) for the required additional electricity capacity to campus to deliver our electrification plans.  
  • Quarterly update - Sep-Nov 2024: Received a quote from Northern Powergrid (NPG) for the additional electricity capacity required to deliver our net zero plans, and initiated approval processes.   
  • Quarterly update - Jun-Aug 2024: Formally requested a quote from Northern Powergrid for the additional electricity capacity required to deliver net zero. 
  • Quarterly update - Sep-Nov 2023: Agreed the additional electricity capacity required to deliver net zero and meet the University’s future needs.
illustration of a group of biuldings with a lightning bolt suggesting power going to the buildings. The text says 'increase the electricity to supply on campus. This will enable us to decarbonise our heating systems'.

2. Investing in renewable energy and energy reduction

Renewable energy generation is a high priority for our Net Zero Delivery Plan. We believe it is important that we take responsibility for our own energy and contribute to the wider UK energy transition.  We also need to balance increased electricity demand across campus with energy reduction initiatives.

We will investigate options for generating renewable energy on our estate, alongside switching our electricity supply to contract with Deep Green energy providers who commit to investing profits into new renewable energy generation.

Once in place, this will save around 2,000 tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) each year.

But we also need to consider how we can manage our overall energy use, by investing in smart energy systems and supporting energy saving initiatives across our whole University community.

Key milestones:

  • Complete: Calculate current and future grid energy requirements
  • Complete: Agree approach to renewable energy procurement
  • In progress: Develop our approach to procuring a deep green energy tariff
  • In progress: Test smart energy options for reducing energy use across campus
  • Initiate process to procure Deep Green energy tariff - expected 2026
  • Confirm supplier - expected 2026-2027
  • Complete switch to deep green energy tariff - expected 2027
  • Deliver wider rollout of smart energy initiatives across campus

Latest updates:

  • Quarterly update Sep-Nov 2025 : Begun smart energy trials at key locations on campus. 
  • Quarterly update Jun-Aug 2025: Commenced options appraisal looking at opportunities for renewable energy across the wider estate including the University Farm.
  • Quarterly update Mar-May 2025: Approved a trial of smart energy management approaches to inform future projects, alongside a study assessing opportunities for a range of interventions to optimise energy efficiency on campus.
  • Quarterly update Mar-May 2025: Commissioned a market analysis report to look at options in the energy sector to support the procurement of green energy, following the withdrawal of our preferred PPA partner.
  • Quarterly update Jun-Aug 2025: Agreed to switch our approach to procuring renewable electricity to a 'deep green' energy tariff given changes in wider marketplace.
  • Quarterly update Dec-Feb 2025: Undertook a review of lessons learnt after our preferred renewable energy generator withdrew from Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) contract discussions following increased costs that meant their project was no longer viable. 
  • Quarterly update Sep-Nov 2024: Completed the tender for offsite renewable energy generation and agreed a preferred energy generator.  
  • Quarterly update Sep-Nov 2023: Agreed the requirements for investment in renewable energy generation ahead of a planned tender in 2024.
  • Quarterly update Dec-Mar 2023: Assessed how much additional electricity is required to support net zero delivery, and began securing this supply.
Illustration of fields with solar panels and wind turbines at the top, and computers, lights and other electrical devices at the bottom. The text says 'Invest in generating renewable energy. This will match our grid electricity use on campus.'

3. Upgrading the Worsley Building

A metal sculpture of a person in a garden area of the Worsley building

We plan to install a new heat recovery ventilation system in the Worsley Building, which will save around 1,800 tonnes of CO2e each year and is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions in this high energy use building.  Heat recovery ventilation systems work by using the warm air being extracted from the building to help heat the fresh air coming in, reducing the need for the heating systems to keep the building at the right temperature. 

We will also be installing solar panels on the Worsley Building which will help support the high energy needs of the building, and reduce the amount of electricity needed from the national grid.

Key milestones:

Ventilation system:

  • Complete: Develop designs for new ventilation system
  • In progress: Obtain required approvals for work
  • Begin work

Solar panels:

  • Complete: Confirm designs
  • Complete: Tender for contractor
  • Complete: Appoint contractor
  • Begin installation

Latest updates:

  • Quarterly update – Dec-Feb 2026:   Completed final detailed design stages (RIBA stage 4) for the Worsley and Engineering Cluster projects.  
  • Quarterly update - Sep-Nov 2025: Appointed a contractor to install solar PV on the Worsley building. 
  • Quarterly update - Sep-Nov 2025: Commenced final detailed design stages (RIBA stage 4) for the Worsley and Engineering Cluster projects.
  • Quarterly update - Jun-Aug 2025: Published tender to install solar PV on the Worsley building.
  • Quarterly update - Dec-Feb 2025: Awarded construction partner contract to Vinci, a tier 1 company who will lead on detailed designs and construction of the phase 1 major capital projects (Worsley Building and Engineering Cluster).  
  • Quarterly update - Sep-Nov 2024: Progressed the tender for a construction partner to deliver detailed designs on the Worsley Building and Engineering Cluster projects, as part of our phase 1 delivery of the Net Zero Delivery Plan. 
  • Quarterly update - Jun-Aug 2023: Commenced detailed design on the building and energy infrastructure projects identified within the Net Zero Delivery Plan.
Illustration of a building with arrows suggesting transfer of heat. The text says 'Upgrade the Worsley building' and the illustration is labelled with 'solar panels' at the top of the buidling and 'heat recovery ventilation' to the side.

4. Electrify the Brownlee Centre

We’ve replaced the heating system at the Brownlee Triathlon Centre with air source heat pumps. This makes the whole site – which includes the Bodington Football Hub - fully powered by electricity. Once we have invested in a new source of renewable electricity this means that heating and powering the site will not create any greenhouse gases. We’ve also installed new electric vehicle chargers to help support sustainable travel to the site for staff, students and visitors.

Key milestones:

  • Complete: Finalise plans for electrification
  • Complete: Install electric vehicle chargers on site
  • Complete: Install air source heat pumps on site
  • Project completed September 2024

Latest updates:

Illustration of the Brownlee Centre building showing electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps. The text at the top says 'Electrify the Brownlee Triathlon Centre'

5. Build a new energy centre for the Engineering cluster

A relief sculpture on the front of the Engineering building

Being the furthest group of buildings away on our steam heating network means that energy is lost on route to this cluster, which includes the Schools of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Chemical & Process Engineering, Henry Price hall of residence and the Bragg building.

Installing a new local energy centre to provide all the heating needs for the buildings it serves can almost fully decarbonise the heating systems within these buildings. 

Air source heat pumps will be a key part of the solution for this cluster, with geothermal heat used alongside these to provide a safe, efficient, sustainable solution.

Key milestones:

  • Complete: Carry out exploratory work to test the potential for geothermal energy
  • Complete: Assess potential for geothermal energy on campus
  • Complete: Develop plans for new energy centre
  • Obtain required permissions for energy centre
  • Build new energy centre
  • Connect energy centre to supply buildings

Latest updates:

Illustration of a building with pipes going into the ground. The text says 'build a new energy centre for the engineering centre. We'll test geothermal energy alongside heat pumps'.

What can you do? 

A row of bikes leaning against a railing on campus surrounded by rocks and green grass

Reducing emissions from our estate requires significant changes to how we heat and power our buildings. This is a major programme of work and takes time. You might not notice big changes on campus, as the projects have been planned to minimise disruption. 

A significant contribution to emissions reductions will also come through energy efficiency initiatives, supported by behavioural actions from across our staff and student community.

There are plenty of ways that you can contribute, for example you can: 

  • Help reduce energy usage across campus, for example by switching off unused equipment overnight, at weekends and holidays. The Energy team have developed a 'good housekeeping guide' (University login required) to help with this.
  • Improve sustainability in labs and gain accreditation through the Sustainable Labs programme.
  • Embed sustainability in your area of work by becoming a Staff Sustainability Architect or joining the Blueprint programme.
  • Contribute to research that helps achieve net zero, with £1m seed funding available through our Living Lab programme.
  • Consider the impact of the things you purchase, buying only what is needed, reusing or repairing where possible, and choosing more sustainable options when you do need to purchase.
  • Choose the most sustainable travel option that you can, both in your journeys to and from the University and when travelling for business, research or studies away from campus.

If you are a member of staff or student at the University of Leeds, you can access the Climate Plan Sharepoint Hub (University login required) for more information on our Net Zero Delivery Plan, the seven principles that make up our Climate Plan and how you can get involved.  

You can also follow our progress towards net zero on our Climate Plan Reporting page. 

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