The 2026 update highlights significant collaborative work across council services, community organisations, education partners, and national agencies.

Key achievements include:

• Embedding LHEES priorities in the emerging Local Development Plan, helping ensure new development aligns with climate resilience and decarbonisation goals.
• Major progress in council housing upgrades, with insulation, heating replacements and energy efficiency improvements now underway to bring all homes to EPC C or better.
• Advancing heat network feasibility work for central Elgin, supported by national funding.
• Strengthening community engagement, with Moray CAN delivering events, outreach, carbon literacy programmes and supporting community-led energy initiatives.
• Growing green skills and workforce development, in partnership with Business Gateway, UHI Moray and Developing the Young Workforce.
• Improved collaboration with energy networks, including SSEN, to understand future infrastructure needs. 

Despite strong progress, the report highlights challenges that could limit the pace of delivery, including uncertainty around future funding, short spending windows, and the need for closer alignment across emerging council strategies. Many actions in the delivery plan rely on continued support and investment from the Scottish Government. 

Cllr Marc Macrae, chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “This update demonstrates what can be achieved when partners across Moray pull together with a shared purpose. From housing upgrades to community energy initiatives and innovative research, it’s clear that collaborative working is at the heart of our progress.

“Delivering the heat transition is a complex challenge, but by continuing to work closely with communities, businesses, national agencies and education partners, we can build a more resilient, energy efficient and sustainable Moray for the future.”