Question reference: S6W-15981
- Date lodged: 16 March 2023
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Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 27 March 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the use of data centres as “digital boilers” to heat swimming pools, and, if so, how it is encouraging such use in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government supports the recovery of surplus heat from data centres and any other sites where heat can be recovered and supplied cost effectively. As we transition to a net-zero economy it will become increasingly important that we use resources efficiently. This includes maximising the use of recoverable or waste heat, which at present goes unused.
We have awarded grant support totalling £32.7 million to a number of heat network projects that utilise heat recovery technology or heat produced by Energy from Waste facilities.
The Scottish Government is in the process of supplying to each local authority, and displaying on the local authority version of the Scotland Heat Map ( Scotland Heat Map (data.gov.scot) ), all sites identified in the ClimateXChange study on potential sources of waste heat for heat networks. This project will be completed by summer 2023. This will support local authorities develop their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies.
Furthermore, to increase the use of recoverable and waste heat, as an initial step the Scottish Government is considering introducing a requirement for potential heat suppliers, for the type of heat source where heat can be recovered and supplied cost effectively, to share information with relevant local authorities and licenced heat network providers.