Heat networks delivery plan - draft: consultation analysis
The key findings from a qualitative analysis of consultation responses that were submitted about the draft heat networks delivery plan.
Footnotes
1. These include 2.6 Terawatt hours (TWh) (3% of current heat demand) by 2027, and 6 TWh (8% of current heat demand) by 2030.
2. The consultation took place at the end of 2021. The draft consultation document can be found here Heat networks delivery plan - draft: consultation.
3. The Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 sets targets for the amount of heat to be supplied by heat networks, requiring the combined supply of thermal energy by heat networks to reach 2.6 TWh (terawatt hours) of output by 2027 and 6 TWh of output by 2030.
4. For more information and the consultation document see Heat networks delivery plan - draft: consultation - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).
5. The meeting agenda and organisations represented at the consultation event are found in Annex A.
6. Regulation of consumer protection is reserved to the UK Government.
7. Melone, H.A., 2019. Gender-based perspectives of fuel poverty in Scotland. MSc dissertation, Glasgow School of Business and Society, Glasgow Caledonian University.
8. This is not currently within the devolved competency of the Scottish Government.
9. This respondent cited HEPS4 as: 'Changes to specific assets and their context should be managed in a way that protects the historic environment. Opportunities for enhancement should be identified where appropriate. If detrimental impact on the historic environment is unavoidable, it should be minimised. Steps should be taken to demonstrate that alternatives have been explored, and mitigation measures should be put in place.'
10. This respondent noted that: "Our previous survey of members, which focused on the challenges of delivering EESSH2, found that almost three-quarters of respondents felt they would need external support to deliver the required improvements. The most common type of support needed was 'funding application support'…".
11. SFT publications were noted as a useful resource on further evidence for this (specific publications were not cited).
12. One respondent (Representative body (Other)) cited that the Retrofit Scotland website (Architecture and Design Scotland - Retrofit Scotland) as a useful example, but suggested it is no longer actively managed.
13. Denmark was referenced by multiple respondents.
14. This point made by this respondent (Third Sector) was specifically referencing local authority sponsors and suggesting that not all local authorities currently purse heat network opportunities to the same degree.
15. For example, funding was cited as "the greatest challenge" by one Professional or Representative Body (Other) covering housing providers. Providing evidence from a survey of their member organisations, this respondent noted that "almost 80% of respondents to our recent survey on EESSH2 found sourcing funding and the capital investment for measures either 'very challenging' or 'extremely challenging'".
16. Note that this consultation closed prior to the announcement of new funding for heat networks (that is successor LCITP funding): £300m boost for climate friendly heating - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).
17. One respondent (Public Body) suggested this should include interest free loans to property owners. They suggested this would equalize support already available for standalone systems. They proposed Home Energy Scotland and Energy Efficiency Business Support Service act as fund managers.
18. The authors acknowledge that comparisons might not include costs such as servicing, repairs and replacement of gas boilers.
19. Environmental Services Association. A net-zero greenhouse gas emissions strategy for the UK recycling and waste sector: Executive Summary. Available here: ESA Net Zero Exec Summary. The full report and technical appendices which the respondent identified included proposals for decarbonising the EfW sector is available here: ESA Net Zero Full Report.
20. Some respondents specifically noted that tariffs should be in the public domain by mandatory requirement. One suggested that a mandatory requirement on all operators would also remove objections made on commercial sensitivity grounds. Multiple respondents cited the Danish Energy Agency's publishing of tariff data as an example of good governance on transparency.
21. National Audit Office. Principles of effective regulation: Good practice guidance.
22. Statutory guidance and adequate resourcing were both thought to be necessary for productive engagement. One respondent also noted the Keep Scotland Beautiful Carbon Literacy training as a helpful resource for frontline staff.
23. Scandinavia and Germany were cited as examples of established grassroots engagement and activism, but no further detail was provided.
24. A recommended source of case study evidence of engagement in the social housing sector was: Scottish Federation of Housing Associations releases new fuel poverty briefing. Organisations such as Changeworks and Warmworks were also cited as experienced in supporting community engagement.
25. Sources of evidence recommended were: Citizens Advice Scotland. 2020. Engaging Hearts and Minds: A study into conducting successful engagement to deliver positive outcomes for communities and organisations; Scottish Government. 2019; Scottish Government Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments. Edinburgh; Scottish Futures Trust. 2021. Public Engagement in Infrastructure. Edinburgh.
26. Local Energy Scotland – Community-led local energy plan toolkit
27. Respondent categories are not included in this question.
28. The UK Government (BEIS) Heat Networks Efficiency Scheme was cited as an example of funding to support optimisation of existing schemes that would be valuable in Scotland.
29. In particular, the Scottish Government's 'Principles for the development of Scotland's gas and electricity networks' (published March 2021), was cited as a relevant example of standardising and regulating network requirements for "managing energy demands and future expansion potential". It was proposed that this could be helpful to consider for heat networks, including with reference to setting 2035 and later targets.
30. Another respondent asked how long the Energy Consents Unit would remain the consenting authority. Relatedly, another respondent suggested issuing of permits could be managed by the proposed National Public Energy Agency.
31. It was suggested this had been confirmed by UK Government for England and that consistency between UK and Scottish governments would be of value to the heat networks market.
33. Ramboll, 2021. Analysis of potential for Scotland to be leader in 5th Generation Heating and Cooling Networks
34. Green Street - A zero-carbon urban energy vision delivered by Kensa (welcometogreenstreet.com)
Contact
Email: heatnetworks@gov.scot
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