In July 2025, ThermaMech was named Heat Network Installer / Contractor of the year, in the UK District Energy Association’s annual awards. Whilst testament to the excellent work being delivered by our teams across the country, we were thrilled to receive feedback from the judging panel acknowledging the quality, integrity, and accountability in our customer-first approach.
Here’s a little bit of detail around the work we’ve been delivering in the last year, which contributed to our winning the award.
How we deliver
Since day one, ThermaMech has strived to deliver certainty. The company is founded on principles of direct delivery, high standards, and doing things the right way, even when it’s more challenging. We firmly believe this is the foundation of our success.
Projects
In the last year our teams have worked across numerous projects nationwide, including:
Exeter Energy Network (1Energy)
Earlier this year we broke ground on the Exeter Energy Network. Appointed by 1Energy and Exeter Energy Limited, we’ve began the delivery of the below ground pipework and infrastructure for the Exeter Energy Network. The low-to-zero carbon heat network will span 20km, servicing Exeter city centre, giving businesses and organisations the opportunity to connect and decarbonise their heat. The estimated spend on the project is £100m+; a sizeable investment in Exeter’s green infrastructure.
Bradford Energy Network (1Energy)
Since 2023 we’ve been working with 1Energy to deliver the Bradford Energy Network, by installing the most cost effective, low-to-zero carbon heating solution, and laying the ground work that will enable the city to fulfil its ambition to be the UK’s leading Clean Growth City.
Bristol Energy Network (Vattenfall)
Working with Vattenfall across a number of projects, we began work on the Bristol Energy Network in 2021. Building on this relationship, we then were successfully appointed on the development of the new city-wide heat network. In the last year, we’ve been the lead contractor across several zones, delivering the buried network and associated above-ground connections. These zones are part of a wider programme to help Bristol meet the ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Barking Energy Centre (Ameresco)
Appointed by Ameresco in 2024 to deliver works across the Barking Town Centre Decentralised Energy Network. The project will bring low carbon energy to Barking with the new Energy Centre generating electricity and producing hot water for 10,000 new homes and businesses across the town centre.
Within the designated period we have also delivered a wide range of infrastructure and energy centre works across the following projects:
- Shawfair / Newton & Wellington Farms, Midlothian (Vattenfall)
- Silvertown, London (E.ON)
- Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham (E.ON)
- Truro DHN (Cormac)
- Goods Yard, Stoke-on-Trent (SSE)
The bigger picture
Decarbonising heating and cooling systems is one of the most crucial challenges the UK faces in reaching net zero carbon by 2050. The installation of district energy is the ultimate future-proof means of providing low carbon heating to homes, communities and businesses – and we’re supporting our clients to deliver stellar results. Such as:
- Bradford Energy Network: 85 – 90% reduction in building emissions across the city and 8,000 tons of carbon reduction per annum, in phase 1 alone.
- Barking Energy Centre: Once delivered, 12,000 tonnes of CO2 saved per annum.
- Bristol Heat Network: Once complete, this will be the lowest cost, lowest carbon solution for over 40% of Bristol’s buildings.
We also appreciate that the overarching goals of net-zero will not be met without a healthy, skilled workforce that’s fit for the future, and so we’re working with colleges across the country to offer apprenticeships within the district heating sector.
The last year has been a successful one, and we’re thrilled to have won this award. But our aim remains the same – to continue to deliver a high-quality service to the UK’s district energy networks. A massive thank you to the team, our partners, and the UKDEA for organising the awards.
