Landmark Queens Quay energy centre officially opens

THE Queens Quay Heat Pump Energy Centre is providing low-carbon heating to the first phases of the £250 million Clydebank-based development.

Members of West Dunbartonshire Council, Vital Energi and Star Renewables recently gathered to celebrate the achievement at an official opening.

The £20 million project, delivered by Vital Energi on behalf of the local authority, will provide heating and hot water to the 23-hectare Queens Quay development which includes plans for 1,200 homes, businesses and public buildings.

Scott Lutton, Vital Energi’s operations director – North & Scotland, said, “With COP26 fast approaching it is timely that we showcase the local authorities who have successfully delivered initiatives to meet their carbon targets and are an inspiration to others. West Dunbartonshire Council have shown that it is possible to, not only deliver large carbon reduction by harnessing renewable technology, but that this heat can be delivered at a more affordable price.

“One of the truly exciting things about this development is that it will continue to grow over multiple phases, increasing in scale, becoming more efficient and allowing more people, businesses and organisations to access low-carbon heat.”

The energy centre boasts two 2.65MW water source heat pumps which extract water from the River Clyde at a rate of 125 litres per second and use the latent heat to produce heating and hot water for the development via a 5km district heating network.

The network was designed to accommodate further growth, with the potential to expand beyond Queens Quay over several phases. Pipework has already been installed to supply the forthcoming Health Centre, West College Scotland, all homes planned for the site, as well as Clydebank Library and Town Hall.

Future plans include connections to the Golden Jubilee Hospital, Clyde Shopping Centre, Dalmuir Flats, and into the town centre.