Scotland Sets Record for Heat Pump Installations

Scotland is making great strides towards achieving record numbers of heat pump installations, according to the latest data from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Despite the rise in household energy bills, the MCS data dashboard shows that Scotland has already installed over 5,000 MCS-certified heat pumps this year, marking a 34% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This growth is a significant step towards a record-breaking year for heat pump technology in Scotland.

The increasing number of homeowners making the switch to low-carbon heating is largely due to initiatives like the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant & Loan. This scheme offers consumers up to £7,500 towards the installation of a heat pump, with eligible households in rural areas receiving even more support, up to £9,000.

When it comes to heat pump adoption in Scotland, Na h-Eileanan Siar leads the way as the top-performing local authority with 1 in 5 households having a certified heat pump installation. The Orkney Islands and Argyll and Bute follow closely behind with 14.71% and 8.81% respectively.

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, highlighted the importance of heat pumps in Scotland’s journey towards achieving Net Zero by 2045. He mentioned that government incentives like the HES Grant and Loan are crucial in making the switch to sustainable heating solutions more accessible and affordable for homeowners.

Claire Daly, head of policy and advocacy at WWF Scotland, praised the progress in renewable heating adoption, especially in areas experiencing high levels of fuel poverty. The move towards cleaner heating not only benefits households by freeing them from unstable fossil fuel prices but also contributes to reducing carbon pollution.

Overall, in 2024, Scotland has seen over 23,000 renewable installations, including heat pumps, solar PV, and battery storage. With a total of 230,000 certified installations to date, Scotland is making significant progress towards a greener and more sustainable future.