The Streetlife Museum in Hull's Old Town.
The Streetlife Museum in Hull's Old Town.

Energy efficiency works for public buildings following successful funding application

Hull City Council is set to reaffirm its commitment to becoming carbon neutral as it prepares to launch a £2.5m energy efficiency scheme thanks to a successful funding bid.

Funding of more than £1.5m from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will support the project which will see three public sector buildings undergo energy efficiency and decarbonisation works.

The scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and is delivered by Salix Finance.

These works will be completed at Western Library on Boulevard, Streetlife Museum on High Street and Treasury Building on Guildhall Road.

The energy efficiency works will include Solar PV and enabling measures to allow connection for district heating to the Streetlife Museum and Treasury Building, with an air source heat pump to be installed at Western Library.

It is estimated that these works will provide carbon savings of 225 tonnes annually, as well as £99,000 of energy savings, whilst also contributing to securing Western Library’s status as a warm space.

The council has committed £1m towards delivery of the project which is expected to be delivered by spring 2026.

Cllr Jack Haines, the council’s portfolio holder for climate change, said: “The council is delighted to be able to accept this funding from the government to bring forward its energy efficiency scheme.

“This project demonstrates the council’s commitment to tackling climate change and its carbon neutral and net zero targets.

“It will have a long-term benefit for the city, both from a carbon production perspective and energy savings costs.”

These works form part of the council’s Hull 2030 Carbon Neutral Strategy and 2045 net zero targets.

Community and stakeholder engagement will be completed as the project gets underway before approval will be sought for contractor procurement from the council’s Cabinet in May.

Salix director of programmes, Ian Rodger, said: “We are delighted to be able to work with Hull City Council and to support it as part of its Carbon Neutral strategy.

“This project will deliver a significant reduction in the council’s carbon footprint, provide significant energy savings and make these three building better places to work and visit for local residents.”

Footpath closed sign
Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, with one of the new signs promoting the changes to bus lane operating times