Renfrewshire Council to deliver largest networked heat pump system to council housing in Scotland

Renfrewshire Council is to replace the gas supply in two of its council housing high-rise blocks with an innovative networked ground source heat pump solution, which will be the largest installation of its kind in Scotland.  

Residents at the two multi-storey blocks in Gallowhill, Paisley will see their gas supply replaced with the renewable heating system, installed by contractor Kensa, which collects heat from underground pipes and transfers it to homes using an individual shoebox ground source heat pump providing reliable and efficient heating and hot water all year round.  

The project is the first time a local authority in Scotland has delivered a solution of this nature and scale in its properties.  

The flats at Gallowhill Court and Glencairn Court were selected as the gas pipework is nearing the end of its lifespan. A review of potential heating systems revealed ground source heat pumps to be the most cost effective and efficient system for tenants.  

Work is set to start on site this month with the project expected to be completed by summer 2026. 

In the long term, once the gas supply has been removed residents will no longer need to pay gas standing charges and heating costs will be included in their electricity usage which may help to simplify bills and potentially reduce overall costs.  

Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities and Housing Policy Board, Cllr Marie McGurk said: “We want to make our homes as comfortable and efficient as possible for our tenants. By introducing the ground source heating solution in Gallowhill we will deliver a reliable and environmentally friendly system which will help to simplify our tenants’ energy bills. 

“As a Council, we continue to consider climate change in every decision we take and we’re reducing our emissions wherever possible in the services we deliver – while continuing to access funding opportunities to make the large-scale changes we know are needed.” 

Renfrewshire Council was awarded £1,788,382 of funding from the Scottish Government’s Scotland Heat Network Fund to support the delivery of the project.  

Cabinet Secretary for Housing Màiri McAllan said: “I am very pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to support this project via Scotland’s Heat Network Fund.  

“This is an excellent example of the growing role that heat networks have to play in Scotland, supporting our twin aims of delivering affordable heat and reducing fuel poverty whilst also cutting carbon emissions. We want to encourage greater use of heat networks and later this year we will set out measures to attract further investment by encouraging non-domestic and especially public buildings to connect to these schemes.” 

Kensa, a pioneer of networked ground source heat pumps, have been appointed by the Council to carry out the works.  

Mark Potter, Regional Manager for Scotland at Kensa, said: “We’re proud to be working with Renfrewshire Council on this landmark decarbonisation project. Networked heat pumps offer an effective, energy efficient solution to help flats transition away from gas and other inefficient heating systems. By connecting each flat to this system we’ll help residents stay warm and comfortable during winter, while keeping energy use and heating costs low. 

“Kensa has a strong track record of delivering ground source heat pump systems for projects like this, and we look forward to seeing the long-term benefits it will provide for the Council, residents, and the wider community.” 

This project is part of wider regeneration plans for Gallowhill which include the development of 65 new build council homes which will also feature low carbon air source heat pumps and a planned Gallowhill Link project which would provide a new active travel and safe route to the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus currently under construction.