A new £12 million renewable district heating network (DHN) is to be established in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

Councillors have agreed to secure funding for the project, which would heat homes and businesses in the town's Queens Quay area.

Up to 200 rented homes currently being developed by social landlords, as well as 1,000 private homes and a number of public buildings, would benefit from the high-tech system. The development would see water extracted from the River Clyde through heat pumps and directed to businesses and homes via insulated pipes to be used for heating.

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It is estimated the system would reduce CO2 emissions by 15% over the next seven years. The council has pledged to fund 50% (£6m) of the project and apply for match funding from the Scottish Government's Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme/

The Energy Trust's Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Fund would also provide up to 20 years of financial support.

If successful, a new purpose built energy centre will be created at Queens Quay by February 2018, with the pipework for the heating network being installed in 2017.

(LM)