The partnership aims to provide an in-depth understanding of one of the largest and oldest district heating schemes in the country.

Plans include a full network study that will undertake an in-depth survey of every aspect of the scheme. This will look at the last remaining sections of the original steel mains, installed into concrete ducts in the 1970s.

Ashley Walsh, managing director of Heat Networks at Vital Energi said Nottingham was a “pioneer of district heating in the UK”.

She said: “We have been contributing to their heat network for almost 30 years, so it’s exciting to be involved in a network-wide survey to gain an in-depth understanding of the current state of the network.”

The survey is described as a significant undertaking, which will look at approximately 50km of pre-insulated mains, the risers and laterals connecting approximately 4,600 properties and a full review of the plant and equipment installed across the network’s 47 plant rooms and substations.

The survey will conclude with a 50-year future forecast of the network, which will enable Enviroenergy to provide ongoing support of the network.

Antony Greener, head of district heating and waste strategy at Nottingham City Council, said: “With district heating forming a major cornerstone of the city’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2028, it needs confidence in the future investment required to ensure high quality services to our customers can be delivered in the medium and long term. “

Ashley Walsh added that the project would have an important impact on the future of the Nottingham network.

“Once the surveys are complete, we’ll make recommendations to Enviroenergy about areas of action such as internal and underground pipework replacement, planned maintenance and upgrades to the leak detection system to ensure the network can serve the residents and businesses of Nottingham for many years to come.”