South Norfolk & Broadland District Council HQ

Project Snapshot

Client: South Norfolk & Broadland District Council
Sector: Public Sector – Local Authority
Building Type: Council HQ and associated operational sites
Project Scope: Heating and cooling system replacement
Funding Route: Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS)
Our Role: Engineering-led design, challenge and delivery
Technologies Used: Air source heat pump-based combined heating and cooling system

The Decarbonisation Challenge

South Norfolk & Broadland District Council came to us to improve the renewable heating at their HQ in Norfolk.

The existing chiller plant was inefficient and nearing the end of its operational life. The original brief was to install a new air source heat pump plant alongside the existing chillers to improve performance.

Once we had assessed the site and the wider system, it was clear to us that this approach wouldn’t deliver the best long-term outcome for the Council.

Key Delivery Considerations

From the outset, there were a few things we needed to get right:

– The existing chiller plant was inefficient and due for replacement
– The buildings needed to remain fully operational throughout the works
– The solution had to deliver real performance improvements within PSDS timescales and budget constraints
– The project spanned multiple live sites across South Norfolk and Broadland
– Electrical infrastructure upgrades would be required as part of the programme

Early involvement allowed us to plan around these constraints and design a solution that worked in practice, not just on paper.

Our Role

Rather than deliver the brief as written, we challenged it.

We recommended a combined heating and cooling system that would replace the existing chillers entirely, rather than adding a new plant alongside them. This reduced system complexity, improved efficiency and avoided unnecessary duplication of equipment.

We led the engineering design and worked closely with the Council and project stakeholders to manage delivery across three live PSDS sites. This included coordinating complex enabling works, such as the upgrade of the UK Power Networks substation at Diss, while keeping disruption to a minimum.

The Solution

We designed and installed a bespoke combined heating and cooling system to replace the existing chiller plant.

The new system delivered:
– Around 70% energy savings for heating compared to the original boilers
– A 35% increase in efficiency compared to the original chillers

By replacing the chillers entirely, rather than installing additional plants, we also achieved significant cost savings across equipment, enclosure construction, electrical connections and pipework.

Delivery & Outcomes

The project delivered strong technical and commercial results:

– The system was delivered for approximately 40% less than the original budgeted sum
– All three PSDS sites remained fully operational throughout the works
– UKPN substation upgrade works were delivered efficiently and on programme
– One site housing vulnerable residents remained safe, comfortable and operational throughout
– The overall programme was completed on time and within PSDS funding requirements

The Client’s Voice

Annie Sommazzi, Clean Growth and Sustainability Manager at Broadland and South Norfolk District Council, said:

“We are delighted to share our positive experience working with Finn Geotherm on the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) project. Their expertise and dedication have been instrumental in the successful delivery of this initiative. This project was complex, time constrained and based across three sites in Broadland and South Norfolk.

One of the key challenges involved upgrading the UK Power Networks substation at Diss. Finn Geotherm managed this complex task with exceptional efficiency, ensuring minimal disruption and completing the upgrade in a timely manner. All sites remained fully operational throughout the works.

Particularly noteworthy was their work on a site housing vulnerable residents, where they showed great care and sensitivity. As M&E engineers, Finn Geotherm brought innovative, practical solutions to the table and delivered the projects on time and within budget. They were responsive, client-focused and a pleasure to work with.”