Plea for district heating pledge in Warm Homes Act
Household boilers should be scrapped and replaced with large shared boilers to heat multiple homes, according to a multi-sector alliance.
Household boilers should be scrapped and replaced with large shared boilers to heat multiple homes, according to a multi-sector alliance.
Environmental group WWF Scotland, Edinburgh University, heatpump manufacturer Star Renewable Energy and cross-party MSPs have called for Scottish Government regulation to encourage investment in “district heating” as part of a new Warm Homes Act.
District heating is popular in other European countries, where large boilers provide heat for entire districts through a network of pipes, in contrast to the Scottish convention of heating homes with their own self-contained gas boiler.
Dr Sam Gardner, head of policy at WWF Scotland, said: “At present less than 4% of Scotland's heat demand is delivered by renewables, with just 1% by district heating.
“Independent research suggests this figure needs to jump to 40% by 2030 if we're to meet our climate targets.
“That's why we're calling on the new Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse to adopt the recommendations from the Government's expert advisers on district heating in the promised Warm Homes Act.
“Regulation for district heating has broad stakeholder support and if acted upon will help ensure Scotland reaps the huge benefits investment in renewable heat and district heating infrastructure will bring to the country.”
Professor Jan Webb, of the University of Edinburgh, said: “Evidence from European countries with much more district heating than we have shows the value of a basic regulatory framework for both investors and customers.
“The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and Sweden all use regulation to secure investment in the infrastructure, at a long-term affordable cost of capital, as well as ensuring good standards of practice by operators and fair pricing for customers.”
David Pearson, director of Star Renewable Energy, said: “If we look to our Scandinavian neighbours, like Norway, we see that with the right regulation in place, whole towns and cities can benefit from affordable, clean heat through district heating.”Scottish Green energy spokesman Mark Ruskell said: “We must take the opportunity of a Warm Homes Bill to deliver affordable, renewable heat for homes and workplaces. District heating systems are commonplace in other European countries, and Scottish ministers would do well to target capital investment at such schemes.
“Scotland needs to catch up quickly if we're to meet our ambitions for a low-carbon society, tackle fuel poverty and create high quality jobs.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat energy spokesman Liam McArthur MSP said: “We need the SNP Government to deliver the Warm Homes Act that was promised during the election campaign. We know that district heating has the potential to make a huge difference, cutting both energy bills and carbon emissions.”