A better source of Energy

How it works?

The starting proposal is for a community district heating network which will take in the Forres Academy, Leisure Centre, Applegrove and Anderson's primary schools, the Library/Community Centre, perhaps the Legion, and as many of the houses along Sanquhar Road and South Street as want to connect (see initial map).
 

A central plant - probably wood fired - would generate hot water which would be distributed to all the individual users via buried insulated pipes. That heat would then be used to heat buildings on the route in the same way as hot water is currently generated by a gas fired boiler.
 

A letter explaining the proposal has been delivered to residents of Sanquhar Road and South Street, Forres. Community support for the scheme was required before anything could progress.
 

The image below provides a very simplified illustration of how such heating networks operate.

An application for funding of a feasibility study has been made to the Community And Renewable Energy Scotland (CARES), and has been approved.

 

Obtaining this approval meant that we could then request an initial, independent review of the proposed heating scheme. The purpose of the review was to determine if the scheme is viable on paper, and if a full feasibility study should be conducted. The  independent review was conducted in October 2023, and the report from the review is available on our Information page.

 

Similar community heating networks are being planned for Inverurie, Blackburn and Kintore by the Garioch District Heat Community Organisation. For those that are interested, they have a facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/GariochHeat

 

You can find out more information about current progress on the Forres District Heating Network via our Information page, and/or use the Contact us button below if you have any questions, feedback, or are interested in getting involved.