Introduced by cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, Michael Matheson MSP, in March this year, the overall purpose of the Bill is “to encourage greater deployment of heat networks in Scotland, in order to help reduce emissions from heating homes and buildings”.

The Policy Memorandum states that the Bill “will also contribute towards Scotland’s target to deliver 11% of non-electrical heat demand from renewable sources by 2020 and the Scottish Government’s target that 50% of all energy consumption come from renewables by 2030”.

This is a lengthy but single purpose Bill and one that touches on a range of policy areas e.g. renewables, energy efficiency, fuel poverty, land rights and property law (compulsory purchase and wayleaves), planning permission, and climate change.

The committee is particularly keen to hear from anyone, including communities and their partners, who have tried to set up a heat network in their area and the opportunities and challenges involved –and want to hear about experiences, good and bad.

The SFHA has been invited to give evidence to the economy, energy and fair work committee at the beginning of September and has asked members with experience of heat networks to email enquiries@sfha.co.uk by September 1 in order that it can represent this during the evidence session.