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Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
First-of-its-kind green energy project to launch in Paisley
The renewable heating system will be installed in two high-rise buildings in Gallowhill, Paisley. The project, the first of its kind by a Scottish local authority, will replace ageing gas infrastructure. It will be delivered by contractor Kensa, which specialises in networked ground source heat pump technology. The system draws heat from underground pipes and uses compact "shoebox" heat pumps inside each flat to provide heating and hot water throughout the year. Heat pumps will be installed in two multi-storey blocks in Paisley (Image: Renfrewshire Council) Read more: Chippy reveals expansion plans - what we know so far Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire council's communities and housing policy board, said: "We want to make our homes as comfortable and efficient as possible for our tenants. "By introducing the ground source heating solution in Gallowhill, we will deliver a reliable and environmentally friendly system which will help to simplify our tenants' energy bills. "As a council, we continue to consider climate change in every decision we take and we're reducing our emissions wherever possible in the services we deliver – while continuing to access funding opportunities to make the large-scale changes we know are needed." The chosen flats at Gallowhill Court and Glencairn Court were selected as the existing gas pipework is nearing the end of its lifespan. A review of potential heating systems revealed ground source heat pumps as the most efficient and cost-effective option. Work is due to begin later this month and is expected to be completed by summer 2026. Once the transition is complete, residents will no longer pay gas standing charges. Heating costs will instead be included in electricity bills, which could help reduce overall energy expenses. The project is being supported by £1,788,382 of funding from the Scottish Government's Scotland Heat Network Fund. Màiri McAllan, cabinet secretary for housing, said: "I am very pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to support this project via Scotland's Heat Network Fund. "This is an excellent example of the growing role that heat networks have to play in Scotland, supporting our twin aims of delivering affordable heat and reducing fuel poverty whilst also cutting carbon emissions." The installation forms part of a wider regeneration programme in Gallowhill. This includes 65 new build council homes featuring low-carbon air source heat pumps and the Gallowhill Link project, which will create an active travel route to the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus. Read more: Work to be done on trees posing 'unacceptable risk'- here is why people are worried Mark Potter, regional manager for Scotland at Kensa, said: "We're proud to be working with Renfrewshire Council on this landmark decarbonisation project. "Networked heat pumps offer an effective, energy-efficient solution to help flats transition away from gas and other inefficient heating systems. "By connecting each flat to this system, we'll help residents stay warm and comfortable during winter, while keeping energy use and heating costs low. "Kensa has a strong track record of delivering ground source heat pump systems for projects like this, and we look forward to seeing the long-term benefits it will provide for the Council, residents, and the wider community."


Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Scotland's largest green heating network to be installed in Paisley flats
Renfrewshire Council has confirmed it will install the innovative networked ground source heat pump solution at the two multi-storey blocks in Gallowhill. High rise flats in Paisley are to benefit from the largest green heating network to be built in Scotland. Renfrewshire Council has confirmed it will install the innovative networked ground source heat pump solution at the two multi-storey blocks in Gallowhill. The system, to be installed by contractor Kensa, works by collecting heat from underground pipes and transferring it to homes using a heat pump. The new system will replace the gas network, which is coming to the end of its life, and will provide heat and hot water to all 180 homes within Gallowhill Court and Glencairn Court. It is hoped the new system will also reduce bills for residents, with the cost for the new provision included in their electricity bill. The project is the first time a local authority in Scotland has delivered a solution of this nature and scale in its properties. Work is set to start on site this month with the project expected to be completed by summer 2026. Convener of Renfrewshire Council's communities and housing policy board, Cllr Marie McGurk said: 'We want to make our homes as comfortable and efficient as possible for our tenants. 'By introducing the ground source heating solution in Gallowhill we will deliver a reliable and environmentally friendly system which will help to simplify our tenants' energy bills. 'As a council, we continue to consider climate change in every decision we take and we're reducing our emissions wherever possible in the services we deliver – while continuing to access funding opportunities to make the large-scale changes we know are needed.' Renfrewshire Council was awarded £1,788,382 of funding from the Scottish Government's Scotland Heat Network Fund to support the delivery of the project. Cabinet Secretary for Housing Màiri McAllan said: 'I am very pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to support this project via Scotland's Heat Network Fund. 'This is an excellent example of the growing role that heat networks have to play in Scotland, supporting our twin aims of delivering affordable heat and reducing fuel poverty whilst also cutting carbon emissions. 'We want to encourage greater use of heat networks and later this year we will set out measures to attract further investment by encouraging non-domestic and especially public buildings to connect to these schemes.' Kensa is a pioneer of networked ground source heat pumps. The company's regional manager for Scotland Mark Potter said: 'We're proud to be working with Renfrewshire Council on this landmark decarbonisation project. 'Networked heat pumps offer an effective, energy efficient solution to help flats transition away from gas and other inefficient heating systems. 'By connecting each flat to this system we'll help residents stay warm and comfortable during winter, while keeping energy use and heating costs low. 'Kensa has a strong track record of delivering ground source heat pump systems for projects like this, and we look forward to seeing the long-term benefits it will provide for the Council, residents, and the wider community.' This project is part of wider regeneration plans for Gallowhill which include the development of 65 new build council homes which will also feature low carbon air source heat pumps and a planned Gallowhill Link project which would provide a new active travel and safe route to the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus currently. Construction of the new homes is due to start later this month.