Our approach
The transition from gas boilers to efficient electric heat pumps is underway but needs to accelerate to meet the UK’s net zero ambition.
At the same time, rising energy demand – particularly from data centres – is placing increasing pressure on the national grid, while the large amounts of heat they create are wasted.
Melbourn Energy Superloop is designed in response to these challenges: bringing cleaner, lower-carbon heating to the village, while supporting essential digital infrastructure that uses local solar energy rather than just the grid.
The project has clear aims: to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, make better use of energy that would otherwise be wasted and help Melbourn prepare for a low-carbon future.
Photo by Caroline (Melbourn Resident)
A partnership approach
Superloop brings together organisations with complementary expertise to deliver a joined-up solution:
Dataglow Energy designs, builds and operates next-generation ambient heat networks that capture waste heat from renewable-powered data centres and recycle it into affordable, low-carbon energy for homes and businesses.
Octopus Energy Generation – a leading investor in renewable energy and innovative infrastructure.
A leading provider of digital infrastructure and communications. They’ll connect the data centre to the internet and run ultra-fast fibre broadband around the village in the same trenches as our pipes.
Together, these partners are working to deliver a project that connects clean energy, digital infrastructure and community benefit.
Why Melbourn?
The village is close to leading research, science and technology organisations, as well as growing regional businesses and key services such as healthcare and education.
Locating Superloop here supports both local homes and the wider regional economy, while demonstrating how new energy solutions can work in established communities. It is also a location where a project like this can be delivered at an appropriate scale; serving the local community while fitting alongside the existing character of the area.
It’s about more than heating and lower bills; it’s about creating a practical, future-ready solution that benefits both the community and the environment.
Live In Melbourn?
See what Superloop means for your home and get project news: