Exeter has a well-established and demonstrable commitment to the development of heat networks including a local plan policy (CP13) which requires the connection of new developments. The public sector in the area collaborates in many ways, examples include the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point, the Science Park Company and the Health Research Centre at the hospital.
The formation of Dextco Limited was announced in December 2016. The company’s founder members and shareholders comprise the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E), the University of Exeter, Devon County Council, Exeter City Council and Teignbridge District Council.
Dextco is looking to undertake the procurement of a private sector partner with whom to form a joint venture to deliver its first project; to develop an Exeter Energy Network. The network potentially comprises an upgraded gas CHP energy centre at the RD&E’s Wonford or Heavitree hospital and a heat network to transport heat generated at the hospital to existing and new commercial consumers across the city.
Objectives
Dextco’s broad objectives include:
- Reducing CO2 emissions
- Providing energy to shareholders at a price less than the counterfactual
- Matching or exceeding current energy resilience at the hospital
- Providing attractively priced heat to other potential heat users
- Providing a risk adjusted return on investment
- Enabling heat networks to expand
- Providing transparency over heat prices
- Encouraging future projects
- Generating local economic benefits