Danish expertise inspiring Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill – moving on to final stage (Stage 3)

Denmark’s influence acknowledged many times during Scottish Parliament DH discussions.
Recently, the Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill was to be debated and put to the vote (first of three votes) in the Scottish Parliament. It was a bit of an experience for district heating enthusiasts and in particular the Danish onlookers. Firstly and most importantly, all the parties agreed with the principles of the law (promotion of district heating, etc.). More surprising was that during the almost two-hour debate, most speakers chose to express the desire for even greater ambitions for the roll-out of district heating and its role in the green transition. In connection with this, they expressed that the government was even to a greater extent, inspired by the Danish case and repeatedly praised the Danish Energy Agency for their written input to the committee’s work.

Here are a few related clips from the debate:

• Committee Chairman, Gordon Lindhurst, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party – scottishparliament.tv/meeting/debate-heat-networks-scotland-bill-december-3-2020 1
• Andy Wightman, Scottish Green Party – scottishparliament.tv/meeting/debate-heat-networks-scotland-bill-december-3-2020 2
• Paul Wheelhouse, Minister of Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, concluding remarks on the inspiration from Denmark – scottishparliament.tv/meeting/debate-heat-networks-scotland-bill-december-3-2020 3

 

For further interest in policy development in the UK / Scotland, please contact Jacob Byskov Kristensen, jackri@um.dk

The aim of the Bill is to encourage greater use of heat networks in Scotland. Heat networks are made up of insulated pipes and heat generation systems which make heat. This can be in the form of hot water or steam. This will help reduce emissions from homes and other buildings.

The Bill puts in place rules and regulations on heat networks, including:

• making applications
• identifying exemptions
• granting licenses
• setting up heat network zones

 

The heat network sector is currently not regulated. This Bill will set up these license and regulation arrangements. The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Act 2019, was passed by the Scottish Parliament. One of the big challenges to meeting the targets will be reducing the emissions caused by heating. Heat networks are often:

• more efficient than individual fossil fuel heating systems
• run fully from renewables or recovered waste or surplus heat sources
• allow the heat source to be changed without disrupting the user’s supply