Heat networks planned for Dumfries and Galloway
Multiple households from Stranraer to Langholm could benefit.
Ambitious plans for creating “heat networks” across the region could drastically cut energy bills for thousands of householders.
It is still very early days but Dumfries and Galloway Council is in talks with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and Scottish Borders Council (SBC) to develop proposals that could be a game-changer for energy production in the region.
They are working on developing their heat network prospectus, which is aimed at attracting investors interested in 19 heat network opportunities across the region.
Heat networks (also known as district heating) supply heat from a central source to consumers via a network of underground pipes carrying hot water.
Entire neighbourhoods can be supplied by one central system and share in cost savings.
The issue will be discussed at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s new climate, environment and biodiversity sub committee next Wednesday.
A report on the local heath and energy efficiency strategy (LHEES), which will be tabled at the meeting, states: “The prospectus highlights a series of significant economic, environmental and social benefits that these networks could deliver and identifies a total of 19 heat network opportunities across the region.
“The 19 potential networks would cover over 2,400 domestic and non-domestic properties in the South of Scotland, which in total would provide approximately up to
120,000 megawatt hours of heat per year.
“The estimated capital cost of creating these networks would be approximately £120 million but if established these networks would provide several regional benefits and inward investment.
“Benefits include new jobs and skills and retention of wealth in the region, alongside tackling fuel poverty and boosting the South’s contribution to Scotland’s decarbonisation targets.
“All partners hope that the prospectus can inspire practical action and investment in pilot projects and larger projects, building momentum for the sector in the region.
“There are opportunities for both larger district heat networks and smaller shared heat collector style networks which can operate across a variety of scales, from a whole neighbourhood down to a row of cottages.”
The prospectus has already identified seven district heat network opportunities in larger towns, including Dumfries and Stranraer, aswell as 12 shared heat collector network opportunities in locations such as Crossmichael, Langholm, Gretna, Kelloholm, Annan and Lockerbie.
However, there is scope for the shared heat collector model to be extended to many other towns and villages.
A series of information events and webinars are being organised to provide more information about this opportunity.
The Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy underlines the need to ensure that, by 2045, all homes and buildings no longer contribute to climate change, while also tackling fuel poverty.
This means that improvements in energy efficiency and adopting zero emissions heating technology has become a priority.