East Lothian Heat: A Bold Vision for Community-Owned Clean Heat
A major milestone has been reached in the journey to decarbonise heating in East Lothian: the release of the East Lothian Heat Feasibility Study Report.
This visionary proposal outlines how a not-for-profit, community-owned heat network could deliver clean, affordable heat across the county – starting in Musselburgh and eventually forming a regional ‘heat transmission highway’ linking East Lothian and Edinburgh. As other district heat networks across the central belt come online and are potentially able to connect with each other, this may become an even larger central belt-wide ‘super highway’.
The study, delivered by Danish consultants Viegand Maagøe, confirms that a large-scale heat network is not only technically feasible but also economically competitive – even without government subsidies. The project would harness waste heat, renewable energy, and large-scale efficiencies to offer a cheaper and lower-carbon alternative to individual heat pumps. The recommended phased approach allows for early local wins while laying the foundation for transformational regional infrastructure.
What makes this project truly exciting is its commitment to community ownership. International experience, particularly from Denmark, shows that heat networks work best when owned by communities or municipalities – not shareholder profit-maximising entities. East Lothian Heat proposes a not-for-profit operating model where surplus value is reinvested into lowering heat prices or strengthening community resilience.
The East Lothian Climate Hub is proud to be supporting this work, including by providing facilitation to vision the community-owned governance, as we shape what community ownership could look like in practice. This is more than just an infrastructure project. It’s an opportunity to ensure that the wealth created through our transition to renewables is retained and distributed justly – funding communities to undertake further climate mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and social equity work we so urgently need.
This is one of the most inspiring and impactful energy projects we have seen in Scotland to date. Congratulations to all involved for getting to this point.
Read the full report here: East Lothian Heat Feasibility Study Report
