What is Energy on Clyde?

Energy on Clyde is a new type of energy company established for Glasgow. The system includes power and district heating which will allow buildings in Glasgow to get access to heat and power in a new way.

Built by Gren, Energy on Clyde will harness lost heat from a number of renewable sources and deliver energy in a more efficient way. By doing this we make resilient and secure low carbon energy something that is affordable for everyone.

Gren is a Northern European energy company with a track record of operating similar energy systems for decades, set up in the UK 18 months ago. Glasgow is the first city we are working with in Scotland, and we are excited to bring our ingenuity and investment to bear in this great city.

Compared to other low-carbon options?

The energy delivered by Energy on Clyde will be significantly cheaper compared to installing individual heat pumps.

The total bill paid by customers also includes all system maintenance, repair and replacement costs: if anything breaks, we replace it, creating access to more affordable energy in Glasgow.

Compared to fossil fuel heating systems?

Energy on Clyde will be price competitive with any heating system. Fossil fuel prices are extremely volatile, if they are really low, the heat from Energy on Clyde could be a little more expensive. As Energy on Clyde is not directly linked to international oil and gas markets, pricing is stable and predictable, giving you certainty and peace-of-mind and keeping the total cost of energy lower.

Can I generate income?

Energy on Clyde could become an additional source of income for your business if you have spare capacity.

If you produce heat or need cooling, then there could be times when Gren pays you to add your energy to the Energy on Clyde network.

Do I have to retrofit my building completely to connect?

The water in network will be kept at a temperature which can work with all types and ages of buildings, so your retrofit costs will be much lower than with any other low-carbon solution (including heat pumps), which often require upgrades in the building’s heat distribution pipes and radiators. There may be no retrofit costs at all if we can tap our heat pipe into your building where your current boilers are.

How does pricing work?

It works the same way as a gas bill: a fixed charge element and a variable charge element. The fixed charge covers the cost of maintaining the system and replacing parts as the system ages. The variable charge element covers your consumption—so you only pay for what you use. The benefit of a heat network is that you don’t have a separate cost paid to ‘maintain your boiler’ as the total price you pay for heat includes all maintenance and repair costs. No sudden nasty surprises here.

When Can I join?

We will be connecting buildings to our network in 2026, and heat will be turned on in early 2027.

Can I Leave Energy on Clyde?

Yes. If Energy on Clyde no longer works for you, we will support your transition off the network.

Where does carbon capture fit in? 

The carbon impact of the recovered heat is negligible. While Gren carbon capture technology is a potential future solution that could further reduce emissions, our current focus is on maximising the low-carbon potential of our existing infrastructure. By using multiple sustainable energy sources, we are putting truly sustainable, best-in-class low-carbon energy infrastructure at the centre of Glasgow’s Net Zero future.

Will I be able to track the carbon content of my energy?

To ensure full transparency, Gren will provide detailed carbon calculations to each building connected to Energy on Clyde. The carbon calculations will take into account all sources of low-carbon heat powering the network. As the network grows and new low-carbon sources of heat are added into the network, Gren will provide updated carbon calculations for your building.