Lerwick's District Heating Scheme

• Innovative scheme introduced in 1991 based on the Danish model
• Heating homes & commercial properties from waste that would otherwise head to landfill
• Serving ~6,000 people per day including homes, hospital, council offices, schools, swimming pool, cinema

Economic Benefits

• Profits made are given as Gift Aid to the Charitable Trust for further local investment
• Substantial shared savings for larger commercial buildings (no need for dedicated boiler rooms)
• For end customers: lower cost than electric heating, comparable to burning oil at its current price (but much greener)

Energy Recovery Plant

• 4.5 million bin bags converted to energy every year (an area of 160 full sized football pitches)
• Minimal emissions with all toxins filtered avoiding environmental damage caused by landfill
• 80% efficient compared to 55% gas, 30% nuclear and any number of renewable sources can feed in