Two drop-in events and an online webinar are to take place to give people more details for plans for a pipeline to be constructed taking low carbon heat from the energy from waste facility in Tullos and connecting to existing Aberdeen Heat and Power district heating networks in Seaton, Tillydrone, and the city centre.
The new pipeline would make these existing networks more resilient, more energy efficient, and have reduced carbon emissions.
The Aberdeen Heat and Power City Centre, Seaton and Tillydrone networks serve a range of public and community buildings and several multi-storey residential blocks. The network also supplies heat to local schools, nurseries and sheltered housing, supporting essential public services across Aberdeen. More than 1,600 residential properties are connected to the network.
The majority of heat supplied to Aberdeen Heat and Power networks is generated using gas fuelled combined heat and power generators and gas boilers.
The supply of low carbon heat through the new pipeline will significantly reduce the overall impact of carbon emissions for heating and hot water demand for properties connected to the networks. The pipeline will also reduce the exposure of Aberdeen Heat and Power to volatile energy markets offering price stability and allowing Aberdeen Heat and Power to distribute affordable heat across their network.
The proposed route for the 4km pipeline would start at Tullos recreation ground connecting to the Torry Heat Network which in turn connects to the energy from waste low carbon heat source. The pipeline would then runs east across Tullos recreation ground and St Fittick's Park until it meets St Fittick's Road. The pipeline would then track north along St Fittick's Road and across the practice area of Balnagask Golf Course to a tunnel going under the mouth of the River Dee and Aberdeen harbour.
The tunnel below the harbour will be constructed using a tunnel boring machine, launched from a shaft on the southern side, allowing the pipeline to be installed entirely below ground without disruption to Port of Aberdeen operations.
Exiting the tunnel in the Footdee play area, the pipeline would then runs northwards along Pocra Quay onto the Esplanade, terminating at a new Beach Energy Centre to be located next to the Beach Ballroom. The Beach Energy Centre serves as the main pumping and distribution point for injecting heat into the Aberdeen Heat and Power City Centre and Seaton heat networks.
As part of these works, the Seaton heat network will be connected to the Tillydrone heat network via a piped interconnector running along School Road and St Machar Drive paving the way for future network growth.
Earlier this month, the Council’s Finance and Resources Committee agreed tenders will be invited for a design and build framework contract for the pipeline with detailed design of the network to RIBA Stage 4. The successful contractor would also provide a fixed price for the construction of the transmission pipeline.
The drop-in events are being held on:
- Thursday 19 February 2026, Fittie Community Centre, New Pier Road, AB11 5DR – 3pm to 7pm;
- Tuesday 24 February 2026, online webinar via the below website - 6pm to 7pm;
- Thursday 5 March 2026, The Bridge Centre, 258 North Balnagask Road, AB11 8LQ - 3pm to 7pm.
Further materials, including maps and project details, will be available on the project website at Aberdeen District Heating Transmission Pipeline - Commonplace.