Heat Network Opportunities in Scotland

Scotland is committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and in order to achieve this, we must decarbonise the heat in our homes, businesses, public buildings and industry.

The  Heat Network Scotland Act , passed in March 2021, aims to accelerate the development of heat networks by providing regulation and licensing under which heat networks will be efficiently zoned, built, operated and maintained.

Replacing existing fossil fuel based heating systems with heat networks that use waste heat or renewable energy and integrated with storage will have a vital role to play in our energy future, limiting carbon emissions, reducing air pollution and helping to tackle fuel poverty.

In order to find the optimal locations for heat networks, it is essential to understand the proximity of local heat supply in relation to heat demand. Renewable heat supply could be sourced from novel sources such as water in abandoned coal mines or sewage wastewater boosted to a useable temperature by heat pumps.

To help with the future expansion of heat networks, Scottish Enterprise commissioned Ramboll to create a set of maps. These will help you to visualise existing networks, proposed expansions and potential new heat network. They also show major sources of potential heat supply and demand across a number of cities. 

Under phase one of this project Ramboll produced maps of Clyde Mission Area, Cumnock, Glasgow and Prestwick. Under phase 2, for Aberdeen, Dundee, Dunfermline, Falkirk, Perth and Stirling, the maps are interactive, which means you can zoom in and click on various symbols for further information.

Aberdeen is on the forefront of hydrogen production through the H2 Aberdeen programme which is an initiative working to bring about a hydrogen economy in the city region. The hydrogen produced could be utilised for a number of technologies including CHP’s and boilers to assist in the decarbonisation of the current and planned networks. 

There are also a number of potential heat sources in the area with the Firth of Tay providing the opportunity of being utilised via water source heat pumps.

There are also a number of large and small developments planned for the next couple of years which would be ideal connections to the planned DHN’s. 

Feel free to download maps of any of the project areas by clicking on the location in the map below and access the link.

If you would like to join Scottish Enterprise’s ‘heat community’ then please complete this  subscription form . We will send you periodic information on market opportunities relating to heat and heat technologies, including opportunities relating to innovation, funding, market reports, relevant events and export opportunities. 

Scottish Enterprise also maintains a publicly accessible heat industry database.  https://heat.directories.scot /. If you would like your Scottish based company to feature on this free database then click 'contact us' and we will send you a form to capture your company details.