A brand new strategic partnership between SSE Power Options and Scottish Water Horizons goals to develop low-carbon district warmth networks throughout Scotland, accelerating the nation’s journey towards internet zero.
Beneath the settlement, the organisations say they’ll collaborate to establish, develop and ship progressive heating options that harness the untapped potential of wastewater by capturing thermal vitality that will in any other case be wasted, making a sustainable warmth supply for native communities and companies whereas serving to to deal with one in every of Scotland’s greatest decarbonisation challenges.
A primary mission has been recognized for growth in Inverness, the place a Scottish Water pumping station will present a sustainable warmth supply for a community serving a number of buildings, together with native SSE and Scottish Water Workplaces and amenities, and different non-public and public sector buildings within the space.
Past decreasing carbon emissions, the partnership goals to create alternatives for native provide chains and abilities growth within the rising warmth networks sector, supporting Scotland’s simply transition to a low-carbon economic system.
Decarbonising warmth, which at present accounts for 37% of the UK’s CO2 emissions, is an important element in assembly the nation’s formidable internet zero targets. Warmth networks are projected to fulfill as much as 20% of the UK’s warmth demand by 2050, in accordance with latest authorities figures.
Ross McClory, Head of Enterprise Improvement for Industrial and Industrial at SSE Power Options, mentioned:
“This partnership with Scottish Water Horizons represents a major step ahead in Scotland’s warmth decarbonisation journey. By combining our experience in sustainable vitality options with Scottish Water Horizons’ expertise in recovering warmth from wastewater, we’re creating highly effective alternatives to ship low-carbon heating throughout Scotland.
“Our joint project in Inverness is just the beginning of what we expect to be a productive collaboration that will help communities and businesses across Scotland transition to cleaner, more sustainable heating solutions while supporting the country’s net zero ambitions.”
Donald MacBrayne, Enterprise Improvement Supervisor at Scottish Water Horizons, mentioned:
“Scottish Water Horizons is dedicated to unlocking the hidden worth in our infrastructure to assist decarbonise Scotland’s warmth provide. Having already delivered and facilitated the UK’s first 5 warmth from wastewater schemes, we have now seen first-hand how efficient this expertise may be in delivering low carbon vitality.
“The Inverness project is another step forward in using innovative approaches to support businesses and communities in reducing their carbon footprint. By partnering with SSE Energy Solutions, we can extend the reach of this technology and help drive Scotland’s transition to sustainable heat.”
The partnership aligns with the Scottish Authorities’s Warmth Networks Supply Plan, which identifies warmth networks as a strategic precedence for assembly Scotland’s local weather targets. The Warmth Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 units formidable targets for warmth networks to ship 2.6TWh of thermal vitality by 2027 and 6TWh by 2030. Constructing on their preliminary focus in Inverness, SSE Power Options and Scottish Water Horizons anticipate to announce additional tasks throughout Scotland as warmth community zoning is carried out by native authorities all through 2025 and past.
