Renfrewshire leads the way with green heating for firms
Work starts on first renewable energy network
Work has started on building Scotland’s first ‘fifth generation’ heating network in Renfrewshire.
Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes, was at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) to help lower the first pipes of the renewable energy network into position.
Producing 90 per cent less carbon emissions than traditional gas boilers, the sustainable system will provide heating and hot water to the major manufacturers and research centres based at AMIDS, in Inchinnan.
Kate Forbes said: “It’s great to see this incredibly beneficial and positive work being carried forward.
“The Scottish Government has set ambitious targets for net zero and it’s great to see local authorities drive improvement in this important area of work.”
The sustainable system works by directing water normally headed for the White Cart river into a new energy centre being built at a Scottish Water site in Paisley.
There, low temperature heat is extracted then distributed through 3.7kilometres of underground pipes, before being upgraded by low carbon heat pumps into heating and hot water at each of the district businesses.
This includes supplying the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) operated by the University of Strathclyde and the Medicines Manufacturing
Innovation Centre, CPI, two major research and development facilities opening next year at the site.
The £7.1million project is being funded by Renfrewshire Council and by the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “AMIDS acts as a magnet for advanced manufacturing companies to locate to Scotland and tap into the incredible innovation and skills expertise at the research centres based here, so it’s fitting that a place of innovation will be served by this innovative low carbon heating system.
“Not only will it provide a cost-effective, green option for the businesses it serves, it will demonstrate the potential of the technology for others to follow suit and supports our pledge in Renfrewshire to be carbon neutral by 2030.”
Renewable engineering experts FES Energy secured the contract to complete the network. During the 12-month project, FES Energy is supporting two Modern Apprentices and recruiting staff who are currently unemployed.
Charlie Easton, FES support services director said: “This ground-breaking low carbon heating network will assist in providing an innovative energy infrastructure foundation to build upon in the future.
“The FES Group are committed to supporting Scotland’s decarbonisation targets whilst delivering this sustainable renewable energy project for the community.”