'We want to make a Copenhagen-on-Sea in Worthing'

3 days ago

Joseff Reed from Hemiko said the next phase starting in March should be less disruptive to traffic

George Carden/BBC Joseff Reed who has short hair and glasses standing in front of the energy hub — Joseff Reed from Hemiko said the next phase starting in March should be less disruptive to traffic

The first phase of a multi-million pound project to create a low carbon heat network in Worthing has been completed.

Work began on the Worthing Heat Network in July 2024 and it is now supplying several of the town's larger buildings including the Town Hall and Connaught Theatre.

The system works with a large energy centre next to the Guildbourne Centre, which feeds hot water through underground pipes across the town.

Developer Hemiko said the next phase, which starts in March, will provide heating for Splashpoint Leisure Centre and the Pavilion Theatre.

Inside the main energy hub in the town centre

George Carden/BBC Inside the energy hub where there's air source heat pumps, piping, tanks and gauges. — Inside the main energy hub in the town centre

Joseff Reed, senior external affairs manager for Hemiko, said: "Instead of every building burning their own gas to generate their heat, we generate it locally and centrally. That's more efficient, cheaper and cleaner for the whole town.

"We want to make a Copenhagen-on-Sea here in Worthing. Denmark and other Scandinavian countries have benefited from this system for decades."

The plant in the town centre works by extracting heat from the outside air, even in winter, to heat water which is then circulated through a network of insulated pipes to provide heating and hot water.

More than 2km (1.24 miles) of pipe have been installed underground around the town centre and Hemiko said it has invested £3.8 million so far.

Hemiko said that phase one will save 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, the equivalent to taking around 2,000 cars off the road.

Phase two starts in March and will see underground drilling with a robot that digs a borehole underground, and then 100m sections of pipe will be fed through.

Roadworks did cause disruption in the town centre during the first phase last year

George Carden/BBC Temporary fencing and a sign saying open as usual near the main energy centre in the high street — Roadworks did cause disruption in the town centre during the first phase last year

The company said the drilling should cause less disruption than phase one.

Some businesses said roads being dug up caused disruption and reduced footfall to the Guildbourne Shopping Centre.

Samantha Whittington, owner of Sewsilver in the shopping centre, said she thought phase one could have been "managed better" but was delighted that phase two "would not be so disruptive".

In terms of footfall in the whole town centre, there were 67,000 more visitors between July and September last year compared to the same period in 2024, according to a Worthing Borough Council footfall report.

Hemiko said it has listened to feedback about the impact of roadworks on traffic and its method of drilling for phase two will allow traffic to continue flowing.

Joseff Reed added: "We're really keen now to learn lessons from the previous phase and deliver an even stronger next phase of works."

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