Historic Cambridge college leads the way with £10m decarbonisation drive

Gonville & Caius College replaces gas heating with air source heat pumps in major bid to cut emissions by nearly 80%

A major milestone has been reached in a £10 million decarbonisation project at Gonville & Caius College, with the successful lifting and installation of large air source heat pumps across the historic Cambridge site.

Our Salix team recently visited Gonville & Caius College in Cambridge to see the latest progress on the multi-year scheme, which is being delivered through Phase 3c of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and is due to complete by the end of the year.

The college, part of the University of Cambridge, is replacing traditional gas-fired heating systems with air source heat pumps across some of its most historic sites, including the Old Courts and the Murray Easton Building.

Backed by £1,665,250 from the latest phase of the government scheme, the project aims to eliminate fossil fuel heating in key heritage buildings, cutting carbon emissions by nearly 80% while maintaining the architectural integrity that defines the college.

Salix programme coordinator Hira Raashid said the project demonstrates how heritage and sustainability can work hand in hand.

She added: “These are incredible buildings and steeped in history and heritage. However, this cannot get in the way of change and modernisation. 

“The work here is setting these spaces up for generations to come. It shows that even the most historic estates can take meaningful action on climate change while preserving what makes them special.”

Estates manager at Gonville & Caius College, Andrew Gair, said: “The scheme represents a significant milestone in the college’s sustainability journey, initiating and installing a complex piece of infrastructure which has the capacity to link together, within the historic estate, five different plantrooms, thereby creating our own heat network. By switching from gas to air-source heat pumps, introducing sensitive and heritage approved fabric upgrades, we are respecting the architecture whilst reducing our carbon footprint.

“This project has been a partnership between staff, academics, professional consultants, supportive planners and very competent contractors; all experts in their fields. I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone involved.”

The technology at the heart of the upgrade - air source heat pumps - has already demonstrated strong performance in other college projects. The college says there are predicted efficiencies of up to 300% and maybe more, at certain times of the year. 

Contracts manager at Cocksedge Adrian Bishop, said the works were highly complex, involving multiple workstreams across a busy college environment.

He said: “This is an extremely complex project, with multiple workstreams and stakeholders to coordinate across the campus.

“The successful lifting of the air source heat pumps marked a significant milestone in the programme. However, it is just one part of a much wider effort taking place behind the scenes to integrate new systems across this large and active college environment.

“Our focus remains firmly on delivering this important scheme safely, efficiently and to the highest standard for the college community.”

David Hills and Toni Page at rhp, architects and designers, have been working with the college as project managers for the work.

David said: “It has been a privilege to work with such a collaborative team and ambitious client to make this happen. It is very rare to see such effective decarbonisation in such a high-status heritage setting.”