Heat network projects: quarterly report - September 2024
Information on the capital and pre-capital projects which have been funded through Scotland's Heat Network Fund, Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund and the Heat Network Support Unit.
Heat Network Pre-capital Projects
Edinburgh BioQuarter
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 88.8 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 50.3 |
| IRR (%) | 8.1 |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 44,800 |
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:
£47,125 HNSU grant and advisory support
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility study completed May 2023. Stakeholders developing next steps.
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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 10.4 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 5.2 |
| IRR (%) | 4% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 57,719 |
Lead organisation:
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:
£34,000 HNSU grant
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility report completed March 2023. Council considering next steps.
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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 13.1 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 14.9 |
| IRR (%) | 3.6% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 109,188 |
Lead organisation:
The Highland Council
Project Stage:
Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete
Technology type(s):
Proposed new heat network
Location
Inverness
Type of support:
£36,000 HNSU grant
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility report completed April 2023. Council developing next steps.
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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 1.07 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 2.8 |
| IRR (%) | 3.6% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 6,480 |
Lead organisation:
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. Council developing next steps.
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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 12.0 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 10.9 |
| IRR (%) | 6.5% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 101,742 |
Lead organisation:
Perth and Kinross Council
Project Stage:
Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete
Technology type(s):
Proposed new heat network
Location:
Perth
Type of support:
£36,000 HNSU grant
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility report completed in March 2023. Council considering next steps.
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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 24.1 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 22.8 |
| IRR (%) | 3.6% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 146,617 |
Lead organisation:
Glasgow City Council
Project Stage:
Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study complete
Technology type(s):
Proposed new heat network
Location:
Glasgow
Type of support:
£44,889 HNSU grant for feasibility study
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility report completed September 2023. Additional technoeconomic work completed in April 2024. Council considering next steps.
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. Council considering next steps.
Project description:
The project proposes the extension of the Queens Quay heat network to connect to the Golden Jubilee Hospital.
Granton Waterfront
| 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. Council approved the appointment of development partner Vattenfall during November 2023, and are targeting agreement on Concession Agreement terms in Q3 2024.
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:
£42,350 Scotland’s Heat in Buildings Development Funding Invitation Grant
Project Timeframe:
OBC completed November 2023. Stakeholder considering next steps.
Project description:
The project will develop the 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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 7.5 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 10.2 |
| IRR (%) | 17.8% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | -91(against a fully electric counterfactual) |
Lead organisation:
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. Council considering next steps.
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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 10.9 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 13.4 |
| IRR (%) | 3.9% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 1,118 |
Lead organisation:
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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 9.8 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 14.7 |
| IRR (%) | 5.6% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 62,258 |
Lead organisation:
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:
£38,413 HNSU grant
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility study completed January 2024. Council considering next steps.
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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 2.9 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 8.7 |
| IRR (%) | 17% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 75,488 |
Lead organisation:
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. Stakeholders considering next steps.
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:
£49,974 HNSU grant
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility study completed February 2024. Stakeholders considering next steps.
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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 49.9 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 72.4 |
| IRR (%) | 8% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | Considerable |
Lead organisation:
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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 11.2 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 9.2 |
| IRR (%) | 10% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 86,191 |
Lead organisation:
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
| 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:
£40,141 HNSU grant
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility report completed April 2024. Council considering next steps.
Project description:
Falkirk Council is investigating 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 organisation:
Scottish Borders Council
Project Stage:
Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study
Technology type(s):
Proposed new heat network
Location:
Tweedbank
Type of Support:
Up to £50,000 HNSU grant
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility report completed March 2024
Project description:
Scottish Borders Council are developing a new heat network that 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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Heat Demand (GWh) | 25.0 |
| Total CAPEX (£m) | 24.3 |
| IRR (%) | 8.3% |
| Lifetime Carbon Savings (tCO2e) | 231,073 |
Lead organisation:
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Project Stage:
Pre-capital – Detailed feasibility study
Technology type(s):
Proposed new heat network
Location:
Crichton Estate
Type of Support:
£50,000 HNSU grant
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility report completed April 2024. Stakeholder considering next steps.
Project description:
The Crichton Trust are developing a 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
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
Project Timeframe:
Feasibility report due September 2024
Type of Support:
Up to £50,000 HNSU grant
Project description:
The University of Stirling are looking into decarbonising and expanding the existing heat network on campus. The pre-feasibility study identified that the optimal route to decarbonisation was through the installation of combination of ground source heat pump and air source heat pumps, with electric boilers installed for peaking. The proposed expansion would include four new connections including university buildings, a local hotel and innovation park with the potential to also connect additional neighbouring properties.
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 September 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
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 due September 2024
Type of Support:
Up to £50,000 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 are progressing their financial modelling and drafting the 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.
Contact
Email: HeatNetworkFund@gov.scot
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