Galliford Try wins £10m green power contract

Galliford Try Renewables has won a £10m contract to provide low and zero carbon energy to the first major zero carbon housing development in the UK.

Galliford will design, install and operate a gas-powered combined heat and power plant together with other zero carbon technologies at a mixed use development being built by the Linden Downland Graylingwell LLP (a joint venture between Linden Homes and Affinity Sutton) for the Homes and Communities Agency at Graylingwell in West Sussex.

Heat from the plant will be supplied to the 750 homes on the site via a network distributor mains while electricity will be delivered through a number of innovative renewable energy solutions. Surplus energy from the plant will be sold to an independent user.

Simon Hyams, director of Galliford Try Renewables said: "As a result of this type of contract the developer benefits from a lower capital cost and is not exposed to the risks implicit in managing energy supply. It also meets the Homes and Communities Agency objective of a zero carbon development and, for the home-owner, means a greener and more efficient supply of heat and power.

"The supply of heat and power has been considered as an integral and fundamental part of the Graylingwell development right from the start rather than as something that takes its lead from the design of the buildings. Prioritising supply like this has to be the way forward for the development industry. We’re looking forward to demonstrating how a net zero carbon development works in action and the benefits for all that result."

Graylingwell is located on the outskirts of Chichester. Grade II-listed former hospital buildings on the 36-hectare site have been incorporated into the design for the new development which, as well as homes, includes retail, commercial and community buildings.

Galliford Try Renewables will start work on the heat and power system next month and the project is due to be completed over a number of development phases.