The Oxford Energy Network is the name of the low-carbon heat network being developed within Oxford, operated by Oxford Energy Network Limited.

Oxford Energy Network Limited is the company developing the Oxford Energy Network.  It is managed by 1Energy Group Limited, the UK’s leading developer of low-carbon city-heat-networks. 1Energy’s team are leaders in the heat network industry—having delivered and operated more than 50 district heating projects over the past 15 years.

We’re currently focusing on connecting the city’s largest heat users, which includes public buildings, offices, hospitals, universities, colleges, schools and residential blocks. If you would like to register your interest in a potential connection, please contact oxford@1energy.uk

The network will grow organically from the ‘foundation network’ that is initially installed, growing street by street, so buildings closer to the network would generally be expected to connect sooner than those further away.

Smaller commercial premises near to the network will be able to connect in the future once the foundation network has been installed and the OEN has started supplying heat. It is projected that residential connections will follow shortly thereafter.

A connecting building will need to have a “wet” heating system, i.e. a heating system that uses water to transport heat around inside the building, indicated by heat emitters such as radiators throughout the building connected by pipes to a central plant room – typically housing a gas boiler. In all circumstances, we will need to carry out a survey to understand if any further changes to a building’s heating system are required.

The Oxford Energy Network will provide heat at a similar temperature to a gas boiler, making it possible to connect existing buildings without the need for costly building-fabric upgrades.

We are reviewing several potential sites for the network’s Energy Centre. Please check back here for further information in due course.

The network is expected to start supplying heat to connected buildings in 2030.

The Oxford Energy Network is a new service for Oxford, just like electricity, water, gas, water, and wastewater which have previously been installed.  All of these services, including the ‘heat service’ will be in the ground and serving Oxford for hundreds of years.  However, they only need to be installed once.

As most of the heat network’s pipework will be laid under roads and pavements, temporary road closures and traffic management will be necessary.

We are working very closely with the Highways Authority at Oxfordshire County Council and stakeholders to plan the delivery of the heat network to reduce the traffic impact as much as possible.

Through the normal council channels for notification of roadworks, road users will get advance notice of any works, and the traffic management arrangements that will be implemented.

We are committed to employing local people and contractors whenever possible. Using local service suppliers helps reduce the network’s carbon footprint while bringing investment into the local area and enhancing supply chain resilience. Furthermore, local supply chains ensure the best value for money, as they avoid paying for transport and accommodation for companies outside the area.

We also hope to develop apprenticeships through City of Oxford College.

If you’re interested in supplying services, please contact us on oxford@1energy.uk.

We will publicise the construction and procurement programme once details are finalised.

The Oxford Energy Network creates the simplest method of achieving zero emission heat for building owners, speeding up progress to net-zero, whilst preserving the aesthetics of Oxford.

It creates the most economic method of decarbonising heat in Oxford for the public and the private sector buildings: approximately 20-40% cheaper than the current cheapest low-carbon method.

The network provides significant social value for Oxford residents and communities, for example via apprenticeships and local job creation during the delivery and operation phases.

It significantly improves local air quality by immediately reducing a significant proportion of CO2 and NOx emissions by decommissioning local gas-powered heating system – greatly impacting health outcomes.

The network insulates heat users from major swings in commodity prices through direct supply from UK and local renewable energy resources

Finally, the Oxford Energy Network initially invests £22million into local infrastructure, rising by greater than £100million as Oxford Energy Network expands

1Energy will work closely with local education providers to provide apprenticeships each year during the network’s construction phase, to deliver new skills into Oxford. We also intend to create local jobs during the operation phase. We are working closely with City of Oxford College and other stakeholders to ensure we maximise opportunities for local employment and training.

Almost every building in Oxford currently has a gas boiler, meaning that huge amounts of gas are burnt locally daily.  Combustion of fossil fuels is a significant contributor to poor air quality, producing pollutants that negatively affect human health.

The Oxford Energy Network heats buildings by replacing their gas boiler with a connection to the heat network.  By removing the need for individual gas boilers in buildings in the city centre, the Oxford Energy Network will improve air quality and the health of local citizens and visitors.

The Oxford Energy Network will make a significant contribution towards Oxford becoming a net zero city. In Phase 1 alone, the network is expected to reduce emissions by 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) a year.

The Oxford Energy Network will also support a just transition to net zero. Heat networks provide the lowest cost option for decarbonising heat, with costs being 20% – 40% cheaper than the most economical alternative low-carbon alternative heating option available.