No heat wasted. No home cold.
Affordable warmth that doesn’t cost the earth for 100,000+ homes in the Lothians
Imagine affordable, stable heating bills. Heat from local sources, not imported gas. A clean energy company accountable to the community – not distant shareholders.
Hard to imagine? We don’t think so. It’s called a community heat network. And we’re making it real.
The problem is urgent
One in three Scottish households can't afford to keep warm. Energy bills keep rising. Families and households are struggling while energy companies are profiting.
The solution is right here
Every day, heat and energy is wasted across our region - from factories, incinerators, distilleries, even wind turbines. That heat and energy that could warm our homes instead. It's a proven model: Denmark does it. New York does it. Shetland does it. Now, in the Lothians, it's our turn to make the energy system work for us.
Here's how it works
Surplus heat and energy warms water that’s sent through insulated pipes underground, through a simple heat exchanger, into your radiators and taps. Simple. Reliable. Affordable. You pay for your hot water, and the heat network takes care of the rest. No more worrying about your boiler breaking down, gas leaks or air pollution inside your home.
The impact
Over £900 million in regional benefit, combatting fuel poverty in our region. Hundreds of local jobs. Energy security we control, lower emissions, and reduced impact on climate.
Putting people before profit
Lothian Heat plans to develop the UK’s largest community heat network – 100,000+ homes powered by local waste heat and renewables.
We have what we need: abundant waste heat and energy, and an ambitious team of local and international experts working together.
We’re developing a public service that puts people before profit – because heat is essential. Community-owned, where the benefits stay local. Professionally run, simple and affordable for customers.
This report, prepared in partnership with leading Danish consultants Viegand Maagøe, sets out the technical, economic and social case for Scotland’s first regional heat network, with potential to serve residential areas and commercial businesses in The City of Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Want to get in touch? Contact us here: ContactUs@lothianheat.org