Clyde town goes green with new river-powered heating
● Energy centre planned in £250m revamp of shipyard
0 Queen’s Quay regeneration project in Clydebank will use water pumped from the river to warm homes A former shipbuilding hub on the Clyde is set to be one of Scotland’s greenest towns if a pioneering district heating network goes ahead.
The environmentally friendly scheme will use water pumped from the river to warm homes, businesses and public buildings being constructed as part of the £250 million Queen’s Quay regeneration project in Clydebank, on the site of the renowned John Brown’s shipyard.
CAITHNESS
The district heat network will be the largest and most ambitious ever created in Scotland and will enable thermal energy, often wasted in power generation and industrial processes, to be captured and supplied directly to householders and workplaces.
The carbon-free system uses water source heat pump technology and is designed to allow future expansion.
“This is the first time a system like this will be installed in Scotland, and we are very excited about the prospect of getting started on site to bring this vision to fruition,” said Paul O’donnell, from developer Dawn Urban Regeneration.
“The system harnesses the River Clyde’s latent energy, which will distribute heat to existing and new communities in the area. It is a major development for Queen’s Quay and one that will benefit the residents and businesses of Clydebank and beyond for generations to come.”
He believes the new development will help bring new life to Clydebank’s waterfront.
“It also promises to create a legacy for the whole of Clydebank by tackling issues such as low-carbon energy from entirely renewable sources, energy security and fuel poverty, “he added.
Duncan Graham, of site owner Clydeside Regeneration, said: “The development offers an opportunity to open upanareaofclydebankwhich has been derelict for a number of years, whilst also creating much-needed housing and other amenities in a stunning location overlooking the Clyde.”
The town of Clydebank was founded in the 1870s to house workers from John Brown’s shipyard, which built the Queen Mary and QE2. The yard closed in 2000.
A planning application for the new energy centre has now been submitted, with work due to begin early next year.
The Queen’s Quay masterplan was approved in March 2016 by West Dunbartonshire Council, which is paying £6m towards the project. The Scottish Government is providing a further £6m.