District energy company Cofely has acquired the energy centre connected to the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre in East London.
In addition, it has agreed a 40-year energy services contract with the show venue to supply heat, chilled water and CHP-generated electricity.

The deal makes possible future development to link the scheme to Cofely's existing district energy network at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Stratford.

Currently, the ExCeL energy centre has the capacity for 18MW of heating and 5MW of cooling, but the envelope of the building can contain significantly more plant and was built to supply energy to the wider area. Cofely will initially install a 2.6MWe of CHP, as well as additional cooling plant. It will also replace the existing 300m of pipework that serves the centre.

When the ExCeL network is connected to the existing network owned and operated by Cofely in East London, the resulting 230MW of heating capacity will be sufficient to heat the equivalent of 45,000 homes, This will enable the network to serve additional hotels, offices and homes as the area is regenerated over the next 20 years.

Chairman of Cofely UK, Wilfrid Petrie, said: 'This acquisition has enormous significance, not just for Cofely and ExCeL but also for the low carbon regeneration of East London, and the wider Mayor of London's heat strategy.'