Worthing Heat Network goes live with hospital connected and 10m in funding

Worthing's district heat network is now operational, with Worthing Hospital connected as its largest heat customer. The network currently serves the Town Hall, Assembly Hall, Portland House, Connaught Theatre, and the museum. Splashpoint Leisure Centre and the Pavilion Theatre are expected to connect by early 2027. The project has drawn more than 10 million pounds in external funding, including an 8 million pound Heat Networks Investment Project grant for a second bank of air-source heat pumps. The council also switched its fleet to HVO fuel, cutting fleet emissions by around 90 percent, and added an electric refuse collection vehicle. Worthing Borough Council is targeting net zero for its own direct emissions by 2030. The update is a practical example of how local authorities can use heat networks to reduce gas use in public buildings and anchor infrastructure investment.