Exeter awarded a £3.6 million grant to reduce carbon footprint at Riverside.

Exeter’s Riverside Leisure Centre is set to benefit from energy efficiency measures, including replacing an end-of-life heating system with air-source heat pumps and a water-source heat pump. 

A grant of £3.6 million has been awarded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as part of the government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 4. The City Council will contribute £841,286 to the project.  

The three-year project will make a significant step in reducing the council’s carbon footprint. 

Currently, Riverside is the council’s highest greenhouse gas emitting building, responsible for nearly half of all the council’s leisure centre emissions. 

The project will involve insulating the roof, replacing air handling units, installing a heat pump system and a heat recovery system.  

These measures will displace an estimated 2,512,882 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of fossil fuels, saving 458.75 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) annually. 

The project will also deliver significant reductions in energy bills for the leisure centre, with an estimated £21,038 saving per year.  

Cllr Matt Vizard, Lead Councillor for Climate, Ecological Change and Communities, said: “We are delighted that our funding application has been successful. 

“Decarbonising Riverside Leisure Centre is a key step towards achieving our net zero target. It demonstrates our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Exeter, ensuring residents can enjoy the leisure facilities for years to come.” 

Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure Services & Healthy Living, said: “The Riverside Leisure Centre is a very important community resource offering a wide range of sport and exercise opportunities. 

“It's a significant part of our leisure provision helping to keep residents physically active and support mental health. 

“This funding will not only improve the Riverside Leisure Centre’s carbon footprint, but it will also reduce energy bills, which is an ongoing challenge in sustaining all leisure facilities. It ensures that Riverside remains a vibrant and viable centre that promotes active and healthy lifestyles.” 

The project will maintain the future of an important community facility for the residents of Exeter. The improved energy efficiency of the leisure centre will allow for a more comfortable and sustainable environment for visitors and employees.