As a part of the Leicester District Energy scheme, a 25-year partnership with energy firm Cofely District Energy, two 15.6-tonne engines designed to help produce enough power to heat at least 3,000 council homes were delivered to Leicester on 30 January.

The Leicester Mercury were on hand as the giant engines were lifted off lorries by crane into the boiler house, on the corner of University Road and Lancaster Road, at the University of Leicester.

The engines, which run on natural gas and should be working by the summer, are the second phase of the £14 million scheme to create a combined heat and power plant, and a system to supply the heat to homes.

The University of Leicester is a partner in the Leicester District Energy scheme which will provide efficient energy and reduce carbon emissions across the City of Leicester. The scheme is operated and managed by Cofely District Energy, on behalf of Leicester City Council.

The University of Leicester has set itself the target of a 60% reduction in its carbon footprint by 2020 compared to 2004/2005 figures, and the use of CHP-generated heating is expected to contribute significantly towards this.