Residents, businesses and organisations are being invited to quiz the developers of the Worthing Heat Network.

This comes ahead of phase two of the project – set to begin this month.

Worthing Borough Council is working in partnership with low-carbon energy company Hemiko to deliver the Worthing Heat Network. The goal is to bring sustainable heating to buildings and homes in the town.

“Heat networks are an alternative to gas boilers and provide heating and hot water to homes and buildings through a network of insulated underground pipes,” a council spokesperson said.

The signage for Hemiko’s flagship Energy Hub, on the High Street, was ‘proudly produced by local business Peter Signs’. Photo: Eddie Mitchell

placeholder image — The signage for Hemiko’s flagship Energy Hub, on the High Street, was ‘proudly produced by local business Peter Signs’. Photo: Eddie Mitchell

"Phase one of the scheme is now complete and has seen public buildings, including Worthing Town Hall, the Assembly Hall, Portland House, Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, and the Connaught Theatre, connected to the network. The pipework to Worthing Hospital has also been laid in preparation for connection.

"The project’s Energy Hub, complete with green living wall, has also been constructed on High Street, outside the front of the multi-storey car park.”

The council said the second phase of the project will begin this month, and will ‘complete the main spine of the network’, connecting Splashpoint Leisure Centre and the Pavilion Theatre.

Representatives from Hemiko will be attending Adur and Worthing Councils’ next Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) meeting.

Heat networks are an alternative to gas boilers and provide heating and hot water to homes and buildings through a network of insulated underground pipes – and Worthing’s forms a key part of the council’s commitment to become a carbon neutral council by 2030 and a net zero area by 2045. Photo: Hemiko

They will brief the committee on the implementation of the first phase of the project and the upcoming works, as well as discussing communication with and support for businesses and residents in Worthing.

“JOSC is an elected watchdog, comprising councillors from across Adur and Worthing, and is responsible for holding decision-makers – both within and outside the councils – to account,” a council spokesperson explained.

"The meeting takes place from 6.30pm on Tuesday, January 27 in the Gordon Room at Worthing Town Hall, and the committee is inviting residents and business owners to send in questions about the heat network for the public question time section.

"Also up for discussion will be an update on Adur & Worthing Councils’ 2026/27 budget and a summary of the ongoing work of the JOSC Budget Scrutiny Working Group, which was set up to scrutinise the financial position of the councils.”

Public questions on both topics can be submitted to the committee by emailing [email protected] by midday on Thursday, January 22.

To find out more about the Worthing Heat Network, visit: https://worthingheatnetwork.co.uk/. If you have any questions about the project, email [email protected].