Midlothian Council and Vattenfall Heat UK have formed a 50/50 joint venture called Midlothian Energy to deliver low-carbon heat to homes and businesses within the Midlothian area.
The new joint venture will explore possibilities to capture waste heat from industrial processes to supply customers via new district heating networks and has signed a contract with Shawfair LLP to facilitate heat network connections for around 3,000 homes and businesses in the new town at Shawfair.
Eoghan Maguire, head of joint ventures at Vattenfall and director of Midlothian Energy, said: “Meeting Scotland’s ambitious target of reaching net zero by 2045 means collaborations like this are crucial. Midlothian Energy will provide a huge step forward on the road to reducing the use of fossil fuels in heating, and we expect up to 900 jobs to be created through the heat networks Vattenfall is proposing in Scotland.
“Vattenfall delivers heat to 1.9 million customers across Europe and has similar ambitions for the UK. In suitable urban and suburban areas, district heating can be deployed rapidly, at scale and at affordable cost to consumers. The UK simply cannot reach net zero without it.”
Midlothian Council’s cabinet member for environment, councillor Dianne Alexander, added: “Midlothian Council is delighted that this innovative flagship low carbon project is reaching the delivery stage. The council is looking forward to working with its long-term energy partner Vattenfall through Midlothian Energy and investing in a business plan that provides a conveyer of new projects to help tackle our ambitious net zero carbon targets.
“A key priority for Midlothian Energy is to contribute towards the challenge of reducing fuel poverty. During this current cost of living crisis, this project will provide a positive contribution to sheltering customers from market volatility and securing lower prices for heat for them.”
