The UK's first heat from sewage scheme has been launched at the Borders College.

Backed by investment from Equitix and the UK GIB, the SHARC energy recovery system was unveiled by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing at the campus in Galashiels on 08 December.

The heat recovery system intercepts waste water from a sewer close to local treatment works operated by Scottish Water.

It then uses a heat pump to amplify the natural warmth of waste water.

The produced heat is sold to Borders College under a 20-year purchase agreement.

Approximately 95% of the Galashiels Campus heating needs are provided by the system, which also does not impact the normal operation of the local waste water network.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "Heat is estimated to account for over half of Scotland's total energy use and is responsible for nearly half of our greenhouse gas emissions.

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"The move towards low carbon and renewable heat offers enormous potential to boost Scotland's economic growth while providing affordable warmth by exploiting the opportunity for more productive use of energy for heating and cooling from a range of sources.

"As international climate change negotiations continue in Paris, I am therefore delighted to help launch the UK's first SHARC energy recovery system at the Borders College campus in Galashiels today – an excellent example of how new technologies can help Scotland move towards decarbonising our heat system.

"Recycling heat from local waste water can deliver financial, energy and emission savings to the campus while assisting to further develop our low carbon economy and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels."

Pete Smith, Vice Principal – Finance and Resources, at Borders College, added: "Borders College is delighted to be the client in this project which places us at the forefront of renewable energy use in the UK. 

"Before deciding on SHARC, we did consider other renewable heat source options such as biomass and involvement in a large-scale district heating scheme but, after considering all options, SHARC was clearly the front-runner.

"This solution goes a long way to meeting our own carbon-reduction targets, while offering long-term price certainty and offering a good degree of local control."

(LM/JP)