Newcastle College and Newcastle Sixth Form College are set for a greener, more efficient and sustainable future as they prepare to be connected to the city’s flagship district heat network at Newcastle Helix.

The state-of-the-art facility provides heating and cooling to the 24-acre Newcastle Helix site and has already been expanded since it first entered service. 

NCG's two North East colleges are set to become the first organisations to be powered from the Helix Energy Centre beyond the original Helix masterplan when the site was first announced more than a decade ago.

Seven college buildings will be powered by the facility, operated by Bring Energy in partnership with Newcastle City Council, replacing the costly and outdated boilers currently in place.

Leigh Scott, Director of Estates at NCG, said: “We’re proud to partner with Newcastle City Council and Bring Energy to support investment in the city and advance our sustainability goals. Connecting to the Helix heat network is a key part of our strategic redevelopment, which will replace outdated gas systems with a more efficient, lower-maintenance solution that aligns with our net zero ambitions. As the network decarbonises, we’ll benefit from even cleaner energy for our students and community.”

Cllr Juna Sathian, Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Transport, said: “Heat networks deliver cleaner and more efficient energy, and the greater the scale the greater the impact it has compared to traditional boilers.

“It’s fantastic to see the Helix Energy Centre expanding beyond its original purpose and I’m delighted to welcome Newcastle College and Newcastle Sixth Form College on board to the network.

“This promises to deliver cost savings for the colleges, a cleaner environment for students to learn in, and a greener future for our city.”

Emma Dixon, Concession Director, Newcastle Helix - Bring Energy, said: “We’re proud to be extending our long-standing partnership with Newcastle City Council through the connection of Newcastle College to the city’s heat network. This is a significant milestone in the ongoing development of a more efficient, sustainable heating system for the city—one that replaces the need for individual boilers with low-carbon, centralised energy infrastructure. 

“Work on this connection began this summer, with completion expected by spring 2026. We’ve worked closely with the College to ensure there will be no disruption to heating supply, and that construction will be carefully planned around term times to minimise any impact. 

“As the network continues to expand, so too does its efficiency and ability to deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits for the region.”

Heat networks (also known as district heating) supply heat from a central source to consumers, via a network of underground pipes carrying hot water. This avoids the need for individual boilers or electric heaters in every building. 

A heat network is one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing carbon emissions from heating. Their efficiency and carbon-saving potential increases as they grow and connect to each other. 

Works on NCG's connection began over the summer and are scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2026.