Heat networks could warm Inverness homes in future

Parts of Inverness have been identified as potential locations for large heating networks in the future.

Highland Council, along with Scotland's other local authorities, have been asked by the Scottish government to come up with strategies to improve energy efficiency.

Heat networks involve distributing energy from a central source, often using underground pipes to carry hot water.

Inverness' west bank of the River Ness, the city centre, Longman and Raigmore areas could have networks, according to a report to Highland Council's climate change committee.

Properties would be warmed by one or more systems that extract heat from air, water or underground.

Biomass, hydrogen and facilities that draw thermal energy from warm water households flush down drains could also be used.

Many of the properties are currently heated by mains gas.

The report to next week's committee meeting said the west bank had a "high level" of social housing and risk of fuel poverty.

It also contains buildings with high heating demands, including Highland Council's headquarters, Eden Court arts venue, Inverness Leisure swimming pool complex and the city's botanic gardens.

Another of the buildings, Inverness Ice Centre, has been struggling with its energy costs.

Council officers said the area could benefit from a heating network.

They said an energy centre could potentially be built on council-owned land near Highland Rugby Club's stadium.

Costs of building the network could run to £37m.

The officials said the city centre was one of the highest density areas in Inverness with more than 298 buildings.

They shops, offices, hotels, Eastgate Shopping Centre and also Inverness' castle and town house.

The costs of creating that network could be an estimated £44m.

Longman is an industrial area and officers have suggested waste water heating and hydrogen systems could be used.

Officers have recommended a number of networks across the area, with costs potentially running to almost £30m.

Raigmore includes housing, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness Campus and new prison HMP Highland.

Again the area could be broken up and covered by a number of heating networks with overall costs of more than £54m.