Old Vinyl Factory Site Set for Green Future

Installation has now begun on a new low carbon energy centre that will provide green heat and hot water for all the new buildings at the site. The Old Vinyl Factory site in Hayes is having a £250 million transformation with a number of new buildings including The University Technical College, Record Store, Boiler house and Material Store. Vital Energi have provided the 4.09 megawatt (MW) energy centre.

Rob Callaghan of Vital Energi, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our ongoing relationship with U+I delivering a legacy project by creating a new heat energy centre within the old Powerhouse.”

The 50,000 litre thermal store has been recently installed into the Powerhouse’s Water Tower, a key heritage feature located in an extension of the original Powerhouse building, which will also house a music venue, café and bar. Once completed, the redevelopment scheme will consist of over 640 homes, 690,000 square metres of office space, plus a museum, cinema, creative workspaces and new retail outlets.

Acquired in 2011, The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes is where vinyl was born, housing 20,000 EMI and HMV employees at its peak with the original art deco factory buildings designed by Wallis, Gilbert & Partners. It is hoped that the regeneration brings people flocking to the area once more.

Richard Upton, Deputy Chief Executive of U+I said: “Our aim is to marry the incredible architectural, cultural and industrial heritage of the The Old Vinyl Factory, with technological innovations and sustainable solutions to bring it into the 21^st century. Working with Vital Energi to develop an efficient source of power for the site not only builds on that, but also provides a cost effective energy alternative for our residents and tenants.”