News / Bristol city leap
£1bn city-scale energy partnership sets out ambitious plans for next stage
Bristol City Leap, a £1bn public-private energy partnership, has set out its plans for the next five years as it enters the third year of a 20-year agreement aimed at reducing the city’s carbon emissions.
Launched in 2023, the scheme brings together Bristol City Council, Ameresco and Vattenfall Heat UK. At its inception, it was described as a “blueprint” for other cities working towards net zero.
Since its launch, City Leap has delivered £51m in contracted projects, including £31m spent on energy efficiency upgrades for social housing, benefiting over 28,000 homes.
Ten new buildings have also been added to the city’s low-carbon heat network.
Since its launch, City Leap has delivered £51m in contracted projects, including £31m spent on energy efficiency upgrades for social housing, benefiting over 28,000 homes – photo: Bristol City Leap
Mark Apsey, senior vice-president at Ameresco, said £15m in social value had already been generated through the partnership’s work, including a £10m programme aimed at supporting households at risk of fuel poverty.
He added: “As we continue to navigate challenges posed by rising energy costs and the impact on households, our work continues to support the most vulnerable.
“Our initiatives, including a £10m investment in energy efficiency measures for homeowners at risk of fuel poverty, directly improve lives. Additionally, our social housing retrofitting programme is significantly improving energy efficiency across Bristol’s housing stock.”
The partnership expects to exceed its original £424m target for low-carbon investment in its first five years. Upcoming projects will focus on retrofitting council buildings and homes, expanding renewable energy supply and decarbonising the city’s vehicle fleet.
Small community organisations, including Woodlands Church, Windmill Hill City Farm and the Bristol Wood Recycling Project, have received micro grants under the scheme’s community energy fund. The fund is designed to support grassroots initiatives through grant and loan funding.
“It’s exciting to see the growing pipeline of essential projects to switch to clean, low carbon energy and help reduce energy waste and pollution in the city,” said Martin Fodor, chair of the environment and sustainability committee – photo: Green Party
Martin Fodor, chair of the environment and sustainability committee, said: “It’s exciting to see the growing pipeline of essential projects to switch to clean, low carbon energy and help reduce energy waste and pollution in the city.
“We are also seeing the flow of private capital into new initiatives, which is so vital to scale up climate action.
“Another important initiative under the partnership’s banner is the Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund, established to provide grant and loan funding to community organisations and enable a new wave of community-led energy projects across the city.”
Bristol City Leap is part of the city’s broader ambition to become carbon neutral and climate resilient by 2030.
Main photo: Bristol City Leap
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