Local councillor delighted with progress on lower cost heating options for Wick – Biomass scheme could be expanded by end of year
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Wick and East Caithness councillor updated community council members on the possibilities of expanding the town’s district heating system to more properties.
Chair of the Caithness Area Committee and local councillor, Raymond Bremner, is "delighted with progress" recently reported on the sustainable energy centre owned by Ignis Wick Ltd that provides heating and hot water to around 200 homes in the Pulteneytown area, Caithness General Hospital, the Assembly Rooms and also supplies steam to the adjacent Pulteney Distillery.
Councillor Bremner gave an update in respect of progress to the members of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC) at their meeting on Tuesday evening. He had previously called on the council to review the possibilities a number of months ago to increase the choice for lower cost heating to the town’s community.
He also said that a council officer had updated members this week. Cllr Bremner stated that it would appear to be possible to have the additional heat option provided to up to 50 additional properties and that work on arranging for this to happen could start within the next few months. These properties are "understood to require little work" in order to receive the additional heating option. He stated that there are a further 73 properties that could be added soon after, following capital works to enable connection.
Cllr Bremner said: “I have been keen for months to increase the number of low-cost heating options available wherever possible in the town by seeing what properties could be connected to the town’s district heating system.
"I’m of the understanding that the running costs of heating a home are considerably cheaper and could really help many individuals and families who are struggling with the cost of living, particularly where they are seeing a huge increase in their heating bills. An additional 123 properties would be a terrific start and I’d be keen to find out where these properties are, how quickly they could be connected and how they can actively consider changing their heat source if they are minded to do so.”
He continued: “I have also asked about other areas that could be connected, the possibility of assisting with the heating issues at the East Caithness Community Campus which could then include connection of the properties located between the heat production source and the campus itself.
"I know that it can be difficult in terms of the time to develop these opportunities but time is of the essence, especially considering the fact that the cost of living crisis is real and impacting on our communities right now. I’ve asked what possibilities there are to invest in other local biomass plants, other energy creation initiatives like solar panels on the council’s properties and even the possibility of a local waste-to-heat-energy plant like they have in Shetland, which not only would produce low cost heat energy but would also provide a solution to local transport and landfill waste disposal costs."
Cllr Bremner finished by saying he felt very excited by the opportunities ahead and delighted there was a strong possibility that the scheme's expansion would take place before the winter weather set in later this year.
Related article:
Hundreds feel the benefits of Wick district heating scheme – and it could be expanded
