Heat network projects: quarterly report - January 2025

Heat Network Pre-capital Projects

Edinburgh BioQuarter

Lead organisation

City of Edinburgh Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network and potential connection to existing heat network (primary heat source: energy from waste)

Location:

BioQuarter site, Little France Drive, Edinburgh

Type of support:

£47,000 HNSU grant and advisory support

Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	88.8
Total CAPEX (£m)	50.3
IRR (%)	8.1
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	44,800

Project timeframe:

Feasibility study completed May 2023.

Project description:

The project explores the supply of heat to the Edinburgh BioQuarter site via a heat network. This is proposed to serve new buildings on Edinburgh's BioQuarter site masterplan, with connection to existing buildings on site in due course, including the NHS Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, and the potential to serve social housing off-site. The feasibility study examines the potential for a new heat network and potential connection to Midlothian Energy Limited's Heat Network, the first phase of which is currently in construction.

Dundee Caird Park

Lead organisation: Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	10.4
Total CAPEX (£m)	5.2
IRR (%)	4%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	57,719

Dundee City Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete

Technology type(s):

Existing heat network extension

Location:

Regional Performance Centre for Sport, Dundee

Type of support:

£35,000 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed March 2023.

Project description:

The Caird Park project was originally supported by the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme. A pre-feasibility study to expand the network was published in January 2022 as part of an initiative to boost heat networks by the Scottish Cities Alliance. This study analysed opportunities to expand the existing network towards additional heating loads (a school, a college, a sports centre and a gymnastics centre). The project aimed to assess the viability of these additional connections.

Inverness West Bank

Lead organisation: Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	13.1
Total CAPEX (£m)	14.9
IRR (%)	3.6%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	109,188

The Highland Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location

Inverness

Type of support:

£27,500 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed April 2023.

Project description:

The Highland Council are exploring the potential for a district heating network within Inverness. The main buildings identified for connection include Inverness Leisure Centre, Inverness Ice Centre, Highland Archive and Registration Centre, Inverness Botanic Gardens, Highland Council HQ and Eden Court.

Inverness Castle

Lead organisation: Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	1.07
Total CAPEX (£m)	2.8
IRR (%)	3.6%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	6,480

The Highland Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Inverness

Type of support:

£27,500 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed April 2023.

Project description:

The Highland Council are developing a district heating network within the immediate area surrounding Inverness Castle which is a council administration centre. Potential heat sources include ground source heat pumps, river source heat pumps, sewer heat recovery, biomass and large-scale air source heat pumps.

Perth City Centre Heat Network

Lead organisation: Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	12.0
Total CAPEX (£m)	10.9
IRR (%)	6.5%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	101,742

Perth and Kinross Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Perth

Type of support:

£35,000 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed in March 2023.

Project description:

Various non-domestic and domestic buildings including a concert hall, council offices, tower blocks and a hotel have been identified within Perth city centre that are potential connections for a heat network. A range of low carbon heat sources are recommended to be considered including river and ground source heat pumps.

Glasgow Polmadie

Lead organisation: Feasibility Summary

Glasgow City Council

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	24.1
Total CAPEX (£m)	22.8
IRR (%)	3.6%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	146,617

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Glasgow

Type of support:

£45,000 HNSU grant for feasibility study

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed September 2023. Additional technoeconomic work completed in April 2024.

Project description:

Project secured grant funding to undertake a review of prior feasibility work to determine the potential for the Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC) to be used as a heat source for a district heat network serving a mix of domestic and non-domestic properties in the south side of Glasgow. Further technoeconomic work was carried out following completion of the feasibility study.

Queen's Quay Extension

Lead organisation:

West Dumbartonshire Council

Project stage:

OBC completed – commercialisation

Technology type(s):

Extension of existing heat network (heat source: water source heat pump)

Location:

Clydebank

Type of support:

Capacity building and OBC support

Project timeframe:

OBC completed in June 2023.

Project description:

The project proposes the extension of the Queens Quay heat network to connect to the Golden Jubilee Hospital.

Granton Waterfront

Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	30.6
Total CAPEX (£m)	31.1
IRR (%)	12%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	21,572

Lead organisation:

City of Edinburgh Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Commercialisation

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network (proposed heat source: sewer source heat pump)

Location:

Granton, Edinburgh

Type of support:

£50,000 Scotland's Heat in Buildings Development Funding Invitation Grant

HNSU Advisory Support

Project timeframe:

Contract Notice published May 2023. Following a procurement process and approval by elected members, the Council appointed Vattenfall Heat UK Ltd as proposed concessionaire on a 2-stage process in December 2023. The initial pre-development stage is currently underway with a view to concluding with a final investment decision (on entering into a concession agreement) in the second half of 2025.

Project description:

The project proposes a new heat network to serve new buildings on the Granton development site. The site is of mixed use with approx 3000 homes and 9,000m² non-domestic space, including a primary school, medical centre, business, retail and leisure. The projects aims to create the heat network with the potential to connect to nearby areas of heat demand to the south of the site, including existing schools and a leisure centre.

Edinburgh Airport Low Carbon Heat Network

Lead organisation:

Edinburgh Airport Ltd

Project stage:

Pre-capital - OBC complete

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh

Type of support:

£42,500 Scotland's Heat in Buildings Development Funding Invitation Grant

Project timeframe:

OBC completed November 2023.

Project description:

The project involved the development of a technical and economic case for a district heat network which would supply heat to Edinburgh Airport, while acknowledging opportunities for future expansion to the Crosswinds and West Town developments (e.g. with regard to energy centre/pipe sizing).

Hamilton Heat Network

Lead organisation: Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	7.5
Total CAPEX (£m)	10.2
IRR (%)	17.8%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	N/A

South Lanarkshire Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Feasibility study complete

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Hamilton

Type of support:

£35,000 HNSU grant for feasibility study

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed January 2023.

Project description:

Proposed heat network centred around the council headquarters, and investigating the connection of several other non-domestic public sector properties, tower blocks and proposed new-build housing in the area. Ground source heat pumps are the recommended primary heat supply technology.

Blindwells Heat Network

Lead organisation: Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	10.9
Total CAPEX (£m)	13.4
IRR (%)	3.9%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	1,118

Hargreaves Land

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Blindwells, East Lothian

Type of support:

£30,000 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed February 2023. Project moving forward to capital delivery.

Project description:

The project involves the redevelopment of a former quarry and mine for new-build residential, public and commercial properties. A suggested approach is recovering heat from minewater, which will be fed through an ambient loop to households, each of which will have individual heat pumps.

Eastwood Park

Lead organisation: Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	9.8
Total CAPEX (£m)	14.7
IRR (%)	5.6%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	62,258

East Renfrewshire Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Eastwood Park, Glasgow

Type of support:

£38,500 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility study completed January 2024.

Project description:

This project proposes a new heat network with sewer water heat recovery as a potential source. The proposed heat network would supply public sector buildings including Eastwood Park Campus, schools and a leisure centre.

St Andrews University Heat Network Extension

Lead organisation: Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	2.9
Total CAPEX (£m)	8.7
IRR (%)	17%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	75,488

University of St Andrews

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study

Technology type(s):

Extension of existing heat network (heat source: biomass)

Location:

St Andrews, Fife

Type of support:

£50,000 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility study completed in March 2024.

Project description:

This project proposes the extension of an existing biomass heat network in and around St Andrews. Since its commissioning in 2017 the existing heat network, sourced by a 6.5MW biomass boiler has provided heating and hot water to 50 University campus buildings via 27 km of pipe, accumulating savings of 20,000 tCO₂e. The feasibility study will explore different options to identify a preferred extension scenario, which could include public sector buildings, schools and hospitality venues.

Dundee Baldovie

Lead organisation:

MVV Environment Baldovie Ltd

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Whitefield & Douglas area, Dundee

Type of support:

£50,000 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility study completed February 2024.

Project description:

This project proposes the creation of a heat network for the Whitefield and Douglas area with heat supply from the Baldovie Energy from Waste facility. The study will assess potential anchor loads in the vicinity of the Energy from Waste facility, and the potential to extend towards the city centre.

Paisley Central

Feasibility Summary (Paisley

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	49.9
Total CAPEX (£m)	72.4
IRR (%)	8%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	Considerable

Lead organisation: West only)

Renfrewshire Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Outline Business Case

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Paisley Central

Type of support:

Up to £75,000 HNSU grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility reports for Paisley West and Paisley East completed May 2024. Renfrewshire Council have combined both areas to be taken forward as 'Paisley Central' for the OBC.

Project description:

The feasibility studies identified an opportunity for a 4th Generation heat network in Paisley Central, making use of waste heat recovery using a Wastewater Source Heat Pump as the primary technology. Potential connections include the University of West of Scotland, Royal Alexandra Hospital, The Piazza Shopping Centre, The Lagoon Sports Centre, Paisley Town Hall, Paisley Museum and Art Gallery and Renfrewshire House, along with a mix of domestic and non-domestic properties including social housing.

Paisley North – AMIDS Extension

Lead organisation: Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	11.2
Total CAPEX (£m)	9.2
IRR (%)	10%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	86,191

Renfrewshire Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Outline Business Case

Technology type(s):

Existing heat network extension

Location:

Paisley North

Type of support:

Up to £60,000 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed April 2024. OBC underway.

Project description:

Renfrewshire Council are exploring extending the existing Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) heat network in Paisley South with the proposed area being Paisley North. Potential connections include Glasgow International Airport, hotels south of the airport, education buildings and future industrial buildings at the AMIDS development. The existing AMIDS heat source is a wastewater treatment works. Alternative (or additional) heat sources include river, ground and air source heat pumps. The project is now progressing to OBC stage.

Callendar Park

Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	6.2
Total CAPEX (£m)	13.3
IRR (%)	1.7%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	120,110

Lead organisation:

Falkirk Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study

Technology type(s):

Existing heat network extension

Location:

Callendar Park, Falkirk

Type of support:

£40,000 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed April 2024.

Project description:

Falkirk Council investigated how to upgrade and extend an existing gas CHP heat network in the Callendar Park area. The CHP system currently powers 9 of the 11 tower blocks in the area and requires upgrading in the next 5 years. The proposed extension would power the existing 9 tower blocks, in addition to Callendar Business Park and two local schools. There is also potential to extend to the town centre, towards the new Falkirk Town Hall.

Tweedbank

Lead organization:

Scottish Borders Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Tweedbank

Type of support:

£50,000 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed March 2024.

Project description:

Scottish Borders Council investigated a potential new heat networkthat serves a mixed-use development. This development includes 300-400 properties, a community centre, care village and business space. Tweedbank is a key anchor load and there is potential to expand west to Galashiels and east to Melrose.

The Crichton Trust

Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	25.0
Total CAPEX (£m)	24.3
IRR (%)	8.3%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	231,073

Lead organisation:

The Crichton Trust

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Crichton Estate

Type of support:

£45,000 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed April 2024.

Project description:

The Crichton Trust investigated a potential new heat network that serves the mixed-use buildings on Crichton Estate, Dumfries and Galloway College, Scottish Rural Agricultural College, Brownhill Primary School, three NHS buildings and domestic properties. Potential heat sources include ground source heat pump, river source heat pump and wastewater treatment plant.

University of Stirling

Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	21.82
Total CAPEX (£m)	17.8
IRR (%)	N/A
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	151,611

Lead organisation:

University of Stirling

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study

Technology type(s):

Decarbonising and expanding existing combined heat and power heat network

Location:

Stirling

Type of support:

£50,000 HNSU grant

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed November 2024.

Project description:

The University of Stirling looked into decarbonising and expanding their existing heat network on the university campus. The optimal scenario would involve replacing existing gas boilers with electric boilers when they come to end of life, installing air-source heat pumps, and expanding the heat network to other university-owned buildings within the campus bounds.

Greenock River Clyde Homes

Lead organisation:

River Clyde Homes

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study

Technology type(s):

Expansion of existing heat network

Location:

Greenock

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report due December 2024.

Type of support:

Up to £50,000 HNSU grant

Project description:

River Clyde Homes are looking to expand their current heat network at Broomhill. The existing energy centre serves 517 homes and currently relies on biomass. There are an additional two thousand of the Association's housing stock located within a 2km radius that are not currently connected to the network. The association would also consider expanding the network to include buildings and property owners not within the RCH Group including Inverclyde Council, NHS and other social landlords within the Central Greenock area who own and maintain schools, leisure centres, health care centres and hospitals.

Elgin Town Centre

Feasibility Summary

Metric	Value
Annual Heat Demand (GWh)	20.0
Total CAPEX (£m)	35.9
IRR (%)	Between 6% - 12%
Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e)	18,000

Lead organisation:

Moray Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Elgin City

Project timeframe:

Feasibility report completed October 2024.

Type of support:

£49,000 HNSU grant

Project description:

Moray Council are looking at combining two potential heat network areas as identified in their LHEES. Those areas include the town centre of Elgin and the adjacent area around the Moray Leisure Centre and Elgin Academy. The centre of Elgin includes buildings such as Elgin Town Hall, Elgin Library, Moray Council HQ and Moray Growth Deal projects in South Street.

Abertay University

Lead organisation:

Abertay University

Project stage:

Pre-capital

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Abertay University, Dundee

Project timeframe:

On-going

Type of support:

HNSU critical-friend support

Project description:

The project focuses on the energy centre which is located within an existing building on the Abertay campus. Abertay University have drafted an Outline Business Case for the project.

Old Town Edinburgh

Lead organisation:

City of Edinburgh Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Edinburgh

Project timeframe:

Feasiblity report due February 2025.

Type of support:

Up to £50,000 HNSU grant

Project description:

The detailed feasibility study is looking to determine whether a heat network located in the prospective heat network zone of the Old Town and Southside in Edinburgh is likely to be viable. Potential heat sources include two major sewers as well as the Duddingston Loch and the park surrounding Arthur's Seat. Potential connections include council owned buildings such as Waverly Court, the City Chambers, Royal Mile Primary School, the Central Library, St Tomas of Aquin's R.C. High School, Boroughmuir High School, and the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

Dumfries Town Centre

Lead organisation:

Dumfries and Galloway Council

Project stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Dumfries

Project timeframe:

Feasiblity report due March 2025.

Type of support:

Up to £50,000 HNSU grant

Project description:

The detailed feasibility study is exploring a heat network opportunity aiming to provide clean heating to Dumfries town centre, in particular to decarbonise the Council assets. The proposed heat network could support the development of a wider spine of networks incorporating the proposed heat networks at Crichton Quarter and Midsteeple Quarter, as well as other buildings within close proximity.