Low-Carbon District Heating Supporting a Major New Community Near Edinburgh 

Project Context

Shawfair is a new urban development to the east of Edinburgh, planned to deliver more than 3,000 homes, new schools, and around one million square feet of commercial and retail space. The development is part of a wider regional ambition to decarbonise heat and strengthen long-term energy resilience. 

Under a joint venture between Vattenfall Heat UK and Midlothian Council, Midlothian Energy Limited was established to deliver a district heating network capable of serving Shawfair and, over time, more than 30,000 homes across the region. 

OCS was appointed as Principal Contractor to design, build, test, and commission the Shawfair Energy Centre, the first phase of the district heating network and district heating extension to Newton & Wellington Farm. The appointment covered a complex, infrastructure-scale programme delivered on a constrained brownfield site and disused colliery. 

The Challenge

The project required the delivery of a resilient, low-carbon heat solution at pace, while coordinating multiple stakeholders and accommodating future development phases. Delivery was shaped by several significant constraints: 

• Construction on disused coal mining land, including former mine shafts and associated ground gas risk 
• Integration with a live energy-from-waste facility and adjacent rail infrastructure 
• Future-proofing substations and network capacity as the town develops
• Complex logistics associated with large, heavy plant and equipment 
• Maintaining safety, programme certainty, and quality across third-party land and interfaces 
• Meeting Scottish government funding timescales for ‘heat on’ 

Our Delivery Model

OCS led the programme through a transparent, structured delivery approach aligned with the client’s operational requirements and long-term objectives. Close engagement was maintained with the client, operators, and third-party stakeholders throughout mobilisation, construction, and commissioning. 

Safety, governance, and quality control were maintained through coordinated planning with adjacent operators and developers, supported by clear delivery controls and interface management. Prefabrication was used extensively for pump skids, large-bore pipework sections, and secondary steelwork. This reduced on-site health & safety risk, shortened installation time, and preserved access and capacity within the Energy Centre for future expansion.  

During commissioning and handover, FM teams were embedded alongside the construction team to support familiarisation and soft landings. This approach helped ensure a controlled transition into operation and early operational readiness. 

What We Delivered

 OCS delivered the design, build, testing, and commissioning of a fully integrated low-carbon energy system, including: 

• A purpose-built Energy Centre 
• Approximately 4 km of district heating network 
• Building Management , Plant control and SCADA Systems 
• Ventilation and air conditioning systems 
• High-voltage infrastructure and power distribution 
• Back-up heat generation comprising electric boilers, an HVO biofuel boiler, and thermal storage vessels 
• Chemical-free water treatment and leak detection 
• Domestic water services, drainage, and oil storage systems 
• Fire, life safety, security, and data systems 
• Standby generation, UPS, and lighting 

 The heat source for the network captures energy from the adjacent Millerhill Recycling and Energy Recovery Centre, operated by FCC Environment. Heat is transferred via a 10MWth plate heat exchanger connection and distributed through the district heating network to heat substations serving the initial development plots. The system has been delivered with provision to increase network capacity to 20MW as demand grows. 

Outcome

The first phase of the Shawfair Energy Centre and district heating network was successfully commissioned and handed over in October 2024. 

Once fully operational, the initial phase is expected to deliver carbon savings of more than 2,500 tonnes of CO₂ per year, equivalent to removing around 1,200 cars from the road. The Energy Centre and network were handed over ready for operation, with capacity, access, and interface provisions in place to support future expansion as the Shawfair development progresses. 

Delivery also supported skills and capability development alongside construction. Apprentices across mechanical, electrical, civils, and fabric disciplines were embedded on site, gaining experience on a live, infrastructure-scale energy project. FM teams were engaged during commissioning to support familiarisation, knowledge transfer, and a smooth transition into operation. 

The result is a scalable, low-carbon heat network delivered safely and compliantly, with the operational controls and readiness needed to support long-term performance and future growth.