Mapping the way ahead for heating the Highlands

2nd February 2010

Work has started on a joint project to produce a unique map for the Highlands which will show the way renewable and other heat sources could be used in years to come.

AECOM have just been awarded the contract to investigate, design and prepare a 'Heat Map' which will bring together information on the demand for heat and the potential sources of supply for renewable and waste heat. The Heat Map will take the form of a tool and from this data, plotted opportunities for the future development and use of heat will be identified.

The Highland Council was approached by the Scottish Government to jointly develop the tool which can then be shared with other local authorities for potential application in their areas. The project is being run by a joint steering group with representative from the Council, the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "We want to develop a viable and sustainable renewable heat sector and our target is for at least 11 per cent of heat used in Scotland to come from renewables by 2020. Local authorities have a key role in helping to meet our target and I am delighted that the Scottish Government will fund a heat mapping pilot in the Highlands. The findings will be made available to all councils in Scotland and I very much look forward to seeing the results."

The Heat Map will help to:

· facilitate planning policies which promote district heating and/or cooling in Highland;

· assist in considering options for retro-fitting community heating to existing council property;

· inform development of new heat networks;

· aid the development of Combined Heat & Power and Biomass schemes;

· assist planning of Energy from Waste locations;

· link heat demands with efficient sources of heat;

· aid better optimisation of heat, diversity of fuels etc.

Welcoming the appointment of AECOM, The Highland Council's Planning, Environment & Development Chairman Councillor Ian Ross said: "We are delighted to be invited as the Scottish local authority to pilot this work. The use of the information and acting on the results will help us to meet the carbon reduction targets set by the Scottish Government and could promote Highland as a leader in renewable and waste heat technology. There is a lot of individual information to be collated but having the Heat Map will give us a much clearer picture of the needs for the whole of the Highlands and allow us to make informed decisions. The Heat Map pilot will enable other local authorities to learn from our experience and plan similarly for their areas. I look forward with interest to seeing the results and reading the associated report."

Audrey MacIver, HIE's head of energy, commented: "HIE welcomes this Heat Map pilot and its role in identifying potential renewable heat solutions in a region where many businesses and communities currently have fewer fuel options than other areas. The installation of renewable heat solutions will also open up new business opportunities."

The study and report are due to be completed and presented to the joint steering group by the end of April 2010.