Energy Centre Opening at SmartParc SEGRO Derby

The Energy Centre at SmartParc SEGRO Derby was officially opened today in an event bringing together 80 dignitaries from across the Midlands.

A plaque was jointly unveiled by Pauline Latham OBE MP, Member of Parliament for Mid Derbyshire, Cllr Baggy Shanker, Leader of Derby City Council and Paul Simpson, Chief Executive of Derby City Council.

The event also marked the launch of the Midlands Engine Food White Paper, of which SmartParc was proud to work on and contribute to. The paper highlights the huge potential that exists in the Midlands to lead the transformation of the food system to deliver better food security for the region and the country. You can view the White Paper here: https://lnkd.in/eC-RNA8p.

‍With the backing of our development partner SEGRO plc, the site will provide 2m sq ft of food production and distribution space, providing 5000 jobs in a new sector for Derby.

A critical part of delivering low-carbon, collaborative food production on the Park is the innovative central energy centre – the first of its kind in the food industry. This shared heating and cooling system recycles heat from refrigeration plants and reuses it to heat water and offices. It is a future-proofed energy balancing system – designed with an ability to connect future innovative technologies too.

Between 2024 and 2030, the system is anticipated to provide an annual CO2e saving of circa 27,000 tons compared with an equivalent system. A minimum annual seasonal efficiency of 400% is guaranteed to the tenants – over 4 times more efficient than gas boilers.

Guests at today’s event heard from Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine Partnership and Jackie Wild, Founder and CEO of SmartParc, alongside Pauline Latham and Cllr Shanker. SmartParc is proud that our revolution in sustainable food production begins here in Derby.

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