Not-for-profit Heat Networks: Pathways for Edinburgh and Lothians

A half-day event to explore and discuss not-for-profit models for heat networks with a specific focus on Edinburgh and the Lothians:

• Update on latest developments in Edinburgh
• East Lothian Heat proposal by East Lothian Community Benefits
• Case studies from Scotland, UK, and abroad, as well as
• Options for funding mechanisms.

... sharing lessons, challenges, and innovation pathways with key stakeholders.

Target Audience:

• Elected members (Councillors and MSPs)
• Funding sector (public and private)
• Community led organisations
• Heat Network stakeholders.

Key Themes Covered

• Delivery models: Not for profit, public-led, community involvement
• Financing mechanisms
• Vision for Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Draft Agenda (exact time subject to changes)

Facilitators: Prof Jan Webb and Helen Melone

9.00am - Registration

9.30am - Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Clean Heat Edinburgh Forum (CHEF) - Outcome of deputations - Latest updates - Timescale

9.40am - Session 1: Case studies - Lessons from Scotland and beyond:

• Aberdeen Heat and Power - Ian Booth (CEO, retired)
• Shetland Heat Energy and Power (SHEAP) - Derek Leask (Exec Director)
• Midlothian Energy Limited (MEL) - (Fiona Clandillon, head of development, Midlothian Council)
• Panel session (Speakers + Charles Robson, Director Network Infrastructure at Burges Salmon LLP)

10.50am Networking Break

11.20am Session 2: Path(s) for Edinburgh & Lothians

• Energetik - Michael King (Non-Executive Director)
• National Wealth Fund - George Munson (Assistant Director, Local Authority Advisory)
• East Lothian Heat - Dr Gemma Bone-Dodds (Chair)
• Panel session (Speakers + Stephen Vere, Programme Director at Scottish Futures Trust)

12:30pm Closing Remarks and Takeaways

• Dr Ellen Grunewald (Director Porty Community Energy).

Event organisations: Organised by Clean Heat Edinburgh Forum (CHEF) in collaboration with Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN), and supported by Burges Salmon LLP

Please consider joining CHEF: https://bit.ly/joinchefnow. We invite you to register an Expression of Interest in supporting CHEF.

We advocate for Heat Networks replacing gas heating by the 2030s. CHEF draws in civil society organisations, research, consultancy and professionals. We hold core team meetings at 3pm - 4pm each Monday on zoom.

Event's partner: Burges Salmon is a leading UK law firm renowned for its clean heat expertise. Advising government, investors, and developers, it delivers strategic legal solutions across heat networks, and the low-carbon technologies being developed and operated across the UK — supporting the UK’s net zero goals through regulatory insight, funding models, and landmark sustainable energy projects.

Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI)