Highland Council Heat Map Project Replicable for All Scottish Councils

Tuesday, 19 July 2011, 2:03 PM

Highland Council recently announced the launch of a ground-breaking Heat Map that was developed using a methodology that is repeatable for all other Scottish local authorities. The Heat Map, which will help to identify and define future renewable heat opportunities in the area, is a Scottish Government-funded pilot project that has been developed specifically to help deliver the Scottish Government target of 11% of all heat demand from renewable sources by 2020.

The map is the first at local authority level in Scotland to provide users with tools to analyse and interrogate opportunities for renewable heat at a local scale, and takes into account issues such as heat demand, potential heat supply, and skills and technology available in an area.

The Heat Map, described by Senior Business Development Manager Andrew Patience of HIE's energy team as "a crucial tool in the promotion of renewable heat in the Highlands", was commissioned by the Highland Council, Scottish Government, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in December 2009, and was produced by consultants AECOM.

A key output of the study was the development of a heat map methodology which is repeatable and consistent for the whole of Scotland. The Heat Map is accompanied by a template that outlines the key stages in preparing such a map, and is intended for use by other Scottish local authorities.

Commenting on the new Heat Map, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said:
"The mapping tool will help all councils identify opportunities to maximise the use of heat in planned new developments, helping councils plan local heat strategies as well as maximising economic benefits by incorporating local skills and services."

Kenny Monteath, Associate Director at AECOM said:
"The key strengths of the Highland Map are its repeatable methodology and accessibility. The methodology was designed to facilitate other local authorities adopting and implementing their own Heat Maps, contributing to the Scottish Government reaching its renewable heat targets. The accessibility of the main sources of information for the Highland Map and other future Heat Maps at a national level will play a pivotal role in formulating national policies."

Highland Council now intends to prepare and publish Guidelines for use of the heat map and will identify and act upon opportunities to further develop the heat map in the future.

Access the Heat Map.

See the related Highland Council press release.