A new report by Scottish Renewables has highlighted the urgent need for Scotland to adopt heat networks to meet its decarbonisation targets.

The report, 'National Heat Networks: A Vision for Scotland', emphasises that heat networks, which supply heat and hot water to multiple buildings, can play a crucial role in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The report recommends that the Scottish Government develop a national strategy for heat networks, outlining clear policies and incentives to encourage their deployment. This would involve utilising a range of renewable energy sources, such as electricity, bioenergy, geothermal energy, solar thermal, and waste heat.

By embracing heat networks, Scotland can significantly reduce its carbon emissions and create a more sustainable energy future.

The Scottish Renewables report 'National Heat Networks: A Vision for Scotland' recommends that the Scottish Government should:

• Establish a national Heat Networks Vision accompanied by a comprehensive national strategy for heat networks setting out how this will be delivered.

• Ensure local authorities are equipped with the resources required to support the deployment of heat networks.

• Deliver on proposals in the Heat in Buildings Bill for capturing and mandating waste heat and obligating all building owners to connect to heat networks.

• Align and integrate heat networks with broader plans for renewable energy and expanding the electricity network.

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• Adapt the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill to drive greater heat network connections for public sector buildings.

• Support Scotland's journey to net-zero by taking into account the skills needed for the expansion of heat networks.

• Define heat networks as a utility like gas, electricity, water and broadband so they can attract the same level of infrastructure investment that the existing gas network receives.

• Fully implement the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021, including the permitting regulations.

Helen Melone, Head of Heat and Solar at Scottish Renewables, said: "More than half of Scotland's energy consumption is used for heating our buildings and homes. To meet the Scottish Government's net-zero commitment of decarbonising heat by 2045, it is critically important that we change how we heat our buildings.

"Scotland has made good progress in decarbonising its electricity but it is falling behind with decarbonising heat.

"Heat networks are the most cost-effective solution for providing affordable, low-carbon heat in densely populated areas such as cities and towns offering a range of other benefits including the ability to utilise waste heat, allow access to natural heat sources and enhance the flexibility of our energy system.

"Most local authorities are beginning to put heat network infrastructure in place so we're calling on the Scottish Government to adopt the recommendations in our Heat Network Vision and create a national strategy which builds on existing networks, delivers a city-scale heat network for each of our eight cities, takes account of regional zones and supports economic growth, driving Scotland towards a sustainable, net-zero future."

Paul Steen, Head of Business Development for Scotland at Vattenfall, said: "Heat networks are an essential means of providing low carbon heating and hot water on a city scale at fair value for customers. Scotland cannot meet its climate change targets without a significant increase in this tried and tested low carbon technology. Scottish Renewables' very welcome and timely report sets out a clear vision to drive decarbonisation of heating in Scotland, raises awareness of the benefits to customers of heat networks and highlights obstacles to be overcome for heat networks to realise their full potential.

"Collaboration and partnerships are essential. Having just opened Vattenfall's MEL Energy Centre in Midlothian, which will provide low carbon heat for thousands of Scottish homes, we have seen just how effective this collaboration between industry, local and the Scottish government can be. This must continue in future, particularly with support and investment from the Scottish government which has been central in driving additional private investment in heat networks."