IT will seem very strange to anyone who has ever had a dip in it, but there’s heat to be found in the River Clyde.

It was announced yesterday that the £250 million Queen’s Quay regeneration project in Clydebank is set to have Scotland’s first large-scale water source heat pump scheme to connect to a district heating network.

The ground-breaking scheme will initially see the installation of 5MW of water source heat pumps (2 x 2.5MW) which will take heat from the River Clyde and use it to provide heating and hot water for the surrounding development.

The heat generated at the energy centre will be pumped through 2.5km of district heating pipe. The £15m energy project will provide heat for the area’s homes, businesses and some public buildings including West College Scotland, Clydebank Leisure Centre, the Town Hall and Clydebank Library.

The Queen’s Quay development will also see the creation of 1000 private homes and 200 homes for social rent.

Scott Lutton, operations manager for developer Vital Energi said: “This is a very exciting moment in the history of Scotland’s energy infrastructure. While there have been small open water source heat pumps in the past, this is by far the largest to date.

“Water source heat pumps are a low-carbon technology which will become more effective in reducing emissions as the grid decarbonises and we hope that, when complete, it will prove an inspiration to other local authorities who want to reduce their carbon emissions.”

Councillor Iain McLaren, West Dunbartonshire’s Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development said: “The District Heating Network will have a hugely positive impact on Queens Quay and Clydebank as a whole and we are delighted to welcome Vital Energi on board to help us deliver it.

“The council aims to expand the network to include areas of Clydebank and Dalmuir and to address fuel poverty by providing affordable heat to local residents.”