A total of 1,100 homes, leisure facilities and offices in Glasgow - including the new Therme Scotland resort - could be connected to a new low carbon district heat network, after the Scottish Government backed the plans with £5.1m in funding.
Peel NRE, part of regeneration group Peel L&P, has received the grant from the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme to develop, construct and progress further designs for a heat network at its Glasgow Waters scheme.
The network would bring forecasted carbon savings of almost 69,000 tonnes, while creating new jobs in the local area.
Homes, commercial space, leisure facilities and a 200-bed hotel at the proposed development at Yorkhill Quay and surrounding buildings would receive low carbon heat and hot water from the network, as well as the Therme Scotland project planned for a large site adjacent to the River Museum.
An energy centre would also be built with two 1.5MW water source heat pumps, with high efficiency boilers, as a backup during peak demand.
Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie said: “I’m very pleased that we can offer grant support that means Peel NRE’s Glasgow Waters development will be built with a heat network that will supply low carbon heat at an affordable rate to both homes and businesses.
“Heat networks will play an important role in this journey towards net zero, supported by Scotland’s Heat Network Fund - they will help make our homes and buildings climate friendly while also contributing towards tackling fuel poverty and one of the biggest cost of living pressures.”
Jonathan Burley, commercial director at Peel NRE, said: “Low carbon district heat networks are crucial in helping achieve climate change targets and cutting residents’ fuel bills which is a huge concern for consumers as energy prices continue to rise.
“We look forward to working with local stakeholders to advance these plans and with our specialist heat network business Ener-Vate, which supported the bid.”
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