Renfrewshire Council

This state-of-the-art, low carbon heating network supplies heat and hot water 90% greener than a gas boiler to facilities at Scotland's home for manufacturing innovation. 

In the first of its kind in Scotland, the fifth-generation, renewable energy network converts treated water into low temperature heat, which is then boosted using low carbon technology to provide heating and hot water to facilities at AMIDS. 

The network includes a new energy centre at a Scottish Water Laigphpark site in Paisley and 3.7 kilometres of underground pipes. 

This £7.1million project was funded by Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Government's Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme.  

How it works 

Treated water, previously flowing into the White Cart river, is directed into the new energy centre. 

Ambient heat is extracted and channelled through a loop of underground uninsulated pipes. 

Heat pumps at each connected building upgrade this heat to suitable levels for heating and hot water. 

Why it's important 

• Having a low carbon renewable energy system supports our pledge for Renfrewshire to be carbon neutralwork towards being net zero by 2030. 
• Delivering green solutions and new technology to power our future is a key focus of the manufacturing innovation district.  
• Building this network, the first of its kind in Scotland, will inspire other developments to consider this low carbon technology. 
• We are developing a world-class business environment at AMIDS which positions Scotland as a global leader in high-value manufacturing and offers an attractive environment for advanced manufacturers to locate to. 
• The network provides a cost-effective route to low carbon heating and funds its own running and maintenance, future-proofed to supply new developments at AMIDS and potentially extend more widely.