The Scotland Heat Map provides the locations of existing and planned heat networks. Both communal and district heat networks are included. Data about each network includes, where available, heat capacity size category, network name, status (either ‘operational’ or ‘in development’) and the main technology used (for example, ‘boiler’). There is only one point location for each network, the data does not show all connected properties or pipe layouts. Networks can serve domestic properties, non-domestic properties or a mixture of the two.
Heat networks have the potential to reduce carbon emissions from heating buildings. Alongside other heat map datasets, information on existing and planned networks is used to identify further opportunities to reduce carbon emissions. For example, by connecting more buildings to an existing network or by replacing the energy source with a nearby lower carbon alternative.
Data on heat networks comes from two sources. These are: the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Heat Networks (Metering and Billing) Regulations (HNMBR) dataset and Zero Waste Scotland’s Low Carbon Heat Database (LCHD). The most recent data available is up to end July 2022 for the HNMBR dataset (though the majority of the HNMBR data included in the heat map is up to end December 2018) and January 2022 for the LCHD. More information can be found in the documentation available on the Scottish Government website: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotland-heat-map-documents/