About the Bill
The 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 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 Bill was introduced by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson MSP, on 2 March 2020.
SPICe Briefings
Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill - SPICe Briefing
Stage 1
At its meeting on 23 June 2020 the Committee took evidence from ENGIE, Vattenfall UK, Scottish Renewables and Aberdeen Heat & Power.
At its meeting on 25 August 2020, the Committee took evidence from Scottish Futures Trust, the Association for Decentralised Energy and the Built Environment Asset Management (BEAM) Centre.
On 1 September 2020 the Committee took evidence from Scottish Land and Estates, Homes for Scotland, Law Society of Scotland and Professor Roderick Paisley.
At its meeting on 8 September 2020 the Committee took evidence from Glasgow City Council, Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Citizens Advice Scotland, Energy Action Scotland and Energy Saving Trust.
At its meeting on 29 September 2020 the Committee took evidence from the Competition and Markets Authority, Energy UK, SGN Commercial Services and Scottish Water Horizons.
At its meeting on 6 October 2020 the Committee took evidence from Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands.
Stage 2
The Committee considered the Bill at Stage 2 on 26 January 2021.
Evidence
The Committee launched a call for written views that closed on 29 May 2020.
Read the call for written views
Read the written submissions
Correspondence
On 3 April 2020 the Committee wrote to the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans regarding the Committee's consideration of the Bill. Graeme Dey replied on 22 April 2020.
Following the session with the Minister on 6 October 2020 the Committee wrote to Paul Wheelhouse requesting follow up information. The Minister responded on 16 October 2020.
Work by other Committees
On 25 September 2020, the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee reported on the Bill at Stage 1.
Report
The Committee reported on the Bill at Stage 1 on 17 November 2020.
The Scottish Government responded to the report on 25 November 2020.