A brand new strategic partnership between SSE Vitality Options and Scottish Water Horizons goals to develop low-carbon district warmth networks throughout Scotland, accelerating the nation’s journey towards internet zero.
Underneath the settlement, the organisations say they are going to collaborate to determine, 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 handle one among Scotland’s largest decarbonisation challenges.
A primary undertaking 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 services, and different non-public and public sector buildings within the space.
Past lowering 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 financial system.
Decarbonising warmth, which at the moment accounts for 37% of the UK’s CO2 emissions, is an important part in assembly the nation’s bold internet zero targets. Warmth networks are projected to satisfy as much as 20% of the UK’s warmth demand by 2050, in keeping with current authorities figures.
Ross McClory, Head of Enterprise Growth for Industrial and Business at SSE Vitality Options, stated:
“This partnership with Scottish Water Horizons represents a big 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 undertaking in Inverness is only the start of what we anticipate to be a productive collaboration that may assist communities and companies throughout Scotland transition to cleaner, extra sustainable heating options whereas supporting the nation’s internet zero ambitions.”
Donald MacBrayne, Enterprise Growth Supervisor at Scottish Water Horizons, stated:
“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, now we have seen first-hand how efficient this know-how may be in delivering low carbon vitality.
“The Inverness undertaking is one other step ahead in utilizing progressive approaches to assist companies and communities in lowering their carbon footprint. By partnering with SSE Vitality Options, we will prolong the attain of this know-how and assist drive Scotland’s transition to sustainable warmth.”
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 bold 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 Vitality 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.