Wednesday 12 February 2020

Midlothian Council and Vattenfall in low carbon heating partnership

Midlothian Council and Swedish energy giant Vattenfall have formed a 50:50 joint venture that will see the development of a low carbon heating network in the region.

The £20 million district heating network, which will provide heating to new homes at the Shawfair development in Scotland, is expected to help reduce carbon emissions by 75% compared to conventional gas boiler systems.

The heat feeding the network will be sourced from waste heat produced by FCC’s Millerhill waste and recycling plant and will be fed through a network of pipes to local homes.

The partnership will also explore the potential of thermal storage and other local heat sources to enable the network to grow and expand across Midlothian and beyond.

Tuomo Hatakka, Senior Vice President Business Area Heat, Vattenfall said: “We’re delighted to have been selected by Midlothian Council for this long term energy partnership that puts low carbon, fossil free living front and centre of its ambition. This partnership will serve as a platform for further growth in low carbon energy solutions in Scotland and the United Kingdom.

"Any organisation or company serious about reaching net zero has low carbon heating at the top of its to do list and this energy partnership is no different.”

The project is expected to come into operation in 2021.

Councillor Russell Imrie, Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development added: "We’re very excited to be working with Vattenfall to set up an energy services company for innovative new projects benefitting local residents and businesses in the area and setting us well on our way to a carbon neutral future.

“Working closely on our first project with Shawfair LLP, the local developer and FCC Environment, our existing Zero Waste Contractor, we look forward to delivering another major pathfinding project for Scotland.”

Up to £7.3 million of funding will be provided by the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transformation Project, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.