Scottish Green Public Sector Estate Decarbonisation Scheme Progress Report

Projects Completed in December 2025/26

Project Title: Edinburgh Crown Office Retrofit (Phase Two)

Project Organisation: Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

Technology Type(s): Electric VRF Heating System, ASHP, Solar PV

Location(s): Edinburgh Crown Office

Checkpoint: 4

Grant Value: £6,830,000

Project Description:

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is committed to reducing emissions from its buildings to reach net zero. The organisation previously received funding from the Scottish Government for a project encompassing fabric first upgrades (phase one) to the Edinburgh Crown Office which are a pre-requisite before decarbonising heat at the site (phase two). The Scottish Government is also providing funding for phase two of the project which includes the installation of an Electric VRF Air Conditioning Heat and Cooling System which will be the main source of heat for the building, in addition to a low temperature hot water ASHP system which will be used to provide heating to the ancillary areas of the building including toilets, storerooms, and corridors. The funding is also supporting installation of a 33 kWp Solar PV system which will contribute towards offsetting the electrical demand of the new clean heating systems. It is predicted that this project will see annual energy consumption savings of 164,165 kWh and annual savings of 115 tonnes of CO2 per annum. Outputs from this completed project will be shared with other public bodies to provide valuable insight in a broader context of retrofitting historic buildings in Scotland.

Ongoing Projects

Project Title: Dumfries Energy Efficiency and Clean Heating

Project Organisation: Dumfries and Galloway College

Technology Type(s): DHW Heat Pump, Insulation Cladding, Floor Slab Insulation, Fabric Improvements

Location(s): Dumfries Campus

Checkpoint: 7

Grant Value: £4,990,000

Project Description:

This project involves the installation of energy efficiency measures and heating technologies at the Dumfries Campus. This project will be split into three key focus areas. Focus one looks at increasing insulation through over cladding and floor slab insulation which will replace an existing external cladding system that currently has issues with heat retention. Focus two is on the heating and hot water system which involves installing a centralised heating and DHW heat pump to replace the existing gas systems which comprise 3 gas heating boilers and 2 gas hot water boilers, with the aim being the removal of reliance on natural gas. Focus three is on fabric improvements to the entrance area to reduce heat loss and install higher insulated door systems. In addition, the project, where practical, will incorporate future proofing elements to facilitate a connection to the Crichton Heat Network. It is predicted that this project will see annual energy consumption savings of 2,100,000 kWh and annual savings of 350 tonnes of CO2 per annum.

Project Title: Isle of Skye Decarbonisation Project

Project Organisation: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

Technology Type(s): ASHP, DHW System, Double Glazing, Solar PV, Wind Turbine

Location(s): Sleat, Isle of Skye

Checkpoint: 7

Grant Value: £2,498,629

Project Description:

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is committed to being sustainable, including by reducing carbon emissions and generating renewable energy to meet net zero. The campus and its buildings on the Isle of Skye are central to the college’s purpose as the National

Centre for the Gaelic Language and Culture. The Scottish Government is providing funding for the college to install double glazing, a wind turbine and solar panels across several buildings on its site. The funding will also enable the installation of an ASHP and new DHW system in the accommodation block which will be supported by renewable energy generation. This will improve the thermal comfort of the building for students who reside in on-site accommodation during their studies. It is predicted this project will see annual energy consumption savings of 87,065kWh and annual savings of 17 tonnes of CO2 per annum.

Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund