A multi-million-pound programme to build heat networks across north Trafford, starting with the Civic Quarter in Stretford, is a step closer to reality as procurement for a development partner opens.
Trafford Council is looking for an energy company to take on the project that could be worth up to £1.3bn over more than a decade, under the Government’s Advanced Zoning Programme for selected local authority areas.
A procurement notice to appoint a zonal partner to develop Trafford’s Civic Quarter Heat Network and the potential North Trafford Heat Zone is now live on the Government website.
Bid submissions close on Wednesday 4 March 2026 and a successful operator will be chosen in May. A year of planning and refinement will follow before the build begins.
The Council is looking for first phases to be live and delivering heat by the end of 2028 with the whole network in place by 2035-2040. The scheme is one of the first of its kind for the North West and Trafford is one of 18 local authorities nationally trailblazing this approach.
The Civic Quarter network, which has already been boosted by a £5.7m Government funding package, could use the heat generated from sewers to supply low carbon heat to buildings including Trafford Town Hall, Trafford College, and Stretford High School.
Ambitions are to extend heat networks into Wharfside and Trafford Park, leading to substantial carbon savings across the industrial area, which is currently the single biggest source of carbon emissions in Greater Manchester.
Cllr Aidan Williams, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change, said:
“We are delighted to launch this procurement to seek a development partner for this huge and exciting venture that see the borough lead the way in low carbon energy solutions.
“This is a key part of the Council’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2038. Addressing the climate crisis is a major corporate priority for us in Trafford, and we will continue to do everything we can to support this vision.”