Energy centre plans lodged to make Clydebank the ‘greenest town in Scotland’

Plans have been submitted (October 26th) for a new energy centre at Queens Quay which developers say could make Clydebank become the ‘greenest town in Scotland’.The proposed facility for the District Heat Network [DHN] will form part of the first phase of development at the £250 million regeneration project on the site of the former John Brown’s shipyard and will serve the entire Queens Quay site and beyond.Queens Quay’s District Heat Network will be the largest and most ambitious in Scotland and will enable valuable energy, which is often wasted in power generation and industrial processes, to be captured and supplied to householders and businesses directly.The 100% carbon free system is designed on a modular basis to allow expansion, with the ability to include the nearby Golden Jubilee Hospital as well as the wider Clydebank area making the network effective and efficient from both technical and financial perspectives.Within the energy centre water source heat pumps will extract water from the River Clyde, giving the system a direct link to natural resources. Additional piping will be located in the wider area to facilitate connections to new homes, as well as public buildings such as Clydebank College and Leisure Centre, and into the town centre.The proposed energy centre will also accommodate gas boilers, pressurisation units and distribution pumps together with a building control and management system to operate and monitor the system. An on-site office and welfare facilities will be located on the mezzanine level.Developers claim the design of the energy centre will create an attractive landmark for the area which will complement the historic Titan Crane whilst the glazed riverfront elevation will facilitate views into the centre.The masterplan for the development of Queens Quay was approved by West Dunbartonshire Council in March 2016. The site is owned by Clydeside Regeneration Limited with the council part funding the development.Dawn Urban Regeneration Ltd is the development partner and is working in partnership with the council to deliver the energy centre and the wider development.West Dunbartonshire Council will own, operate and maintain the entire heating system, ensuring security of supply and reduced tariffs for customers. The Scottish Government is providing £6m of funding towards the system via its Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme with the council covering the remaining £6m.