Glasgow announces city-wide net zero roadmap

ScottishPower has launched Zero Carbon Communities (ZCC) in Glasgow – the first detailed roadmap setting out the scale of the challenge for local communities in reaching the city’s net zero targets.

The roadmap is based on forecasts commissioned by ScottishPower from research firm Capital Economics.

The roadmap reveals for the first time Glasgow’s transport and home heating requirements to meet the city’s 2030 net zero target. The roadmap launches nine months before the city hosts the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26.

Capital Economics forecasts suggest that the city will need to install more than 175,000 charging points between now and 2030 to reach net zero, including nearly 17,000 chargers in non-residential areas.

The costs are estimated to be £298 million and converting Glasgow to electric heating will require £1.4 billion for the installation of electric heat pumps in over 244,000 homes.

ScottishPower will partner with communities across the UK to meet climate change goals.

Glasgow’s energy network will need considerable investment to support these changes, with Capital Economics estimating that £648 million will be required to achieve net zero. By investing in a planned and strategic way, SP Energy Networks believes there is potential to reduce significantly these network investment costs by 30%-40%.

As part of plans to modernise the city’s electrical network infrastructure, SP Energy Networks is investing £20 million between now and 2022 to facilitate an increase in available network capacity and to support regeneration initiatives.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, said: “With the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, coming to Glasgow later this year, the city will be able to showcase its commitment to reaching Net Zero on a global stage.

“To reach net-zero, we’ll all need to make changes as we move away from the fossil fuels that power our cars and heat our homes today. We’re committed to working with local communities to help them understand the best ways to decarbonise.

“We’re launching our Zero Carbon Communities campaign today to set out a road map for helping Glasgow in the drive to net-zero. Upgrading heating systems and shifting to electric vehicles will require big changes, but they will have compelling social, economic and environmental benefits.”