Ronnie Quinn

Led by the Dundee Climate Leadership Group (DCLG), a partnership of public and private sector organisations, the Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) sets out how the city can establish an energy system that drives innovation while ensuring clean and accessible energy for all.

The LAEP provides a pathway towards decarbonisation focusing on core areas including enhanced energy efficiency measures with an ambition to retrofit 50,000 homes across Dundee by 2033 and a further 20,000 by 2045.

Decarbonising heat in buildings through the rollout of heat networks and heat pumps is another key theme. Modelling shows that up to a third of the city’s heating demand could be met through a range of low carbon heating technologies supplying heat networks.

The plan also sets out how Dundee can build on its position as Scotland’s leading city in transport decarbonisation by reducing transport demand by 15% by developing alternatives including better and safer walking and cycling routes. It also focuses on attracting investment to further increase the number of electric vehicle charging points and promote the use of other alternative transport fuels across the city.

Creating more solar-generated power by maximising photovoltaic (PV) and rooftop storage is a further key opportunity set out within the LAEP. As well as encouraging public and private sector partners to install PV and battery systems across their buildings, DCLG also aims to persuade more consumers to embrace solar power technology. 

The LAEP also highlights an opportunity to build resilience within Dundee’s electricity network by reducing overall grid demand in peak hours through better management and increased flexibility measures.

Following its recent approval at Dundee City Council’s Climate, Environment and Biodiversity committee, the DCLG will now begin rolling out the next steps of its plan through further discussions with stakeholders and the city’s wider community to agree initial core actions. The group will also explore funding and grant opportunities to help finance specific initiatives which it plans to begin implementing within the next two years.

The DCLG chair, Ronnie Quinn said: “We’re pleased to secure Dundee City Council’s approval for the LAEP, which marks a key step forward in the addressing the climate emergency and supporting the city’s ambitious journey towards Net Zero.

“We will now begin to develop our plan with the support of local stakeholders across the city’s public and private sector. Exploring potential financing and grant funding opportunities, we will look to develop a range of initiatives focused on low carbon technologies, infrastructure development, community engagement and other transitional programmes.”

DCLG deputy chair, Councillor Heather Anderson, added: “The LAEP provides an ambitious pathway for Dundee to be a pioneer in decarbonising its energy system. We have set out five core strategic interventions with the clear focus is on developing practical initiatives that utilise technology to improve energy efficiency, reduce usage, and better grid manage demand.

“Through the support of the public and private partners within the DCLG and the wider Dundee community, we have a plan that will enable Dundee to move forward in its transition towards Net Zero.”

The Local Area Energy Plan can be found here.