Scotland To See First Major Water Source Heat Pump Project

Residents and businesses in Clydebank will be able to receive power from water in Queen’s Quay in the future, after a £250 million regeneration project has been given the go ahead.

Taking heat from the river through commercial heat pumps, a district heating network will provide heat and water to locals.

This £15 million initiative is part of a wider redevelopment programme in the area, and will see two water source pumps being installed in the river.

The heat will then be pumped through pipe measuring 2.5km long, connecting the development, as well as businesses, public buildings and local homes.

Councillor Iain McLaren, convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, stated the network will “have a hugely positive impact on Queens Quay and Clydebank as a whole”.

He went on to say once it is well established, the local authority intends for the network to connect other areas of Dalmuir and “address fuel poverty by providing affordable heat to local residents”.

“West Dunbartonshire Council is leading the way with this project and our residents, businesses and the environment will reap the rewards,” Mr McLaren stated.

Indeed, councillor Marie McNair, vice convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, added: “It will also make a major contribution to the council’s climate change targets to reduce CO2 emissions.”

The wider regeneration project will involve the building of 1,000 private homes and 200 properties for social rent.

The news of Scotland’s ground-breaking heat pumps comes after Hambleton District Council revealed its intentions to consider ground-source heat pumps as a way of heating its leisure centres and swimming pools, Richmondshire Today reported.