The Story

The Dundee Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) was agreed by Committee and published in September 2024. The LAEP was developed in collaboration with SSEN through the RESOP Project and provides an understanding of the nature, scale, rate, and timing of the changes needed for Dundee to transition to a net zero energy system by 2045 and describes the priority interventions and recommended actions that will support the city in delivering its net zero target. The LAEP incorporates outputs from Dundee’s statutory Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) and captures the wider components of power and transport, energy distribution systems and storage. This supports an understanding of how the granular insights provided though the LHEES impacts the broader energy system and its transition to net zero.  To explore the potential decarbonisation pathways, four system scenarios were analysed and compared in collaboration with stakeholders. Two preferred scenarios were then taken forward to be analysed further through deployment modelling to demonstrate delivery in the context of current policies and plans, and their cumulative impact on emissions.  A preferred scenario of Local Resilience was recommended for Dundee to closely follow to meet its net zero targets. This scenario maximises local renewable energy production, reduces demands in both building and transport sectors, and leverages the city's potential for heat networks with local heat sources. 

To achieve the objectives of the recommended scenario, five priority intervention themes were developed:  improve energy efficiency; decarbonise heat; maximise rooftop PV and storage; ensure network resilience; reduce and decarbonise transport. These are supported by several cross-cutting themes and wider benefits, such as achieving a Just Transition and upskilling the local workforce. A long-term delivery route map to 2045 was then developed, with ten recommended medium-term actions, to enable the delivery of the LAEP in the context of wider policy targets and decisions (each with sub-actions):

Deliver decarbonisation measures in Council-owned building stock to provide 'success stories' and boost supply chain

Foster coordination and collaboration with other local authorities

Continue to collaborate with network operators to inform energy planning

Develop heat networks within Dundee

Implement a strategy to reduce transport demand and encourage sustainable travel

Promote the growth of the supply chain and foster confidence in local suppliers

Raise awareness of grid flexibility opportunities to households and businesses

Identify and implement place-based energy initiatives to target outreach and achieve economies of scale

Promote advice service for homeowners and business

Deliver infrastructure to support a decarbonised transport system