COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 08, 2025

QUESTION NO. 5

QUESTION: Councillor N. Fennell

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on this Council's existing District Heating Scheme project developments, detailing the further long-term plans to progress and expand this now hugely important energy saving measure.

REPLY:

Heatworks (Tallaght District Heating Scheme) has been operational since 2023.  Phase 1A customers at TUD Main Campus, TUD Sport Centre and SDCC County Hall, as well as Phase 1B connections at CAET building TUD, Work IQ and the 133 Cost Rental apartments at Innovation Square are now all connected to the District Heating (DH) network and heat supply has been reliable and consistent.  In Sept 2025, SDCC received additional Climate Action funding (CAF) from Dept of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) of €467k to cover 50% of the increased cost of the project. DH Phase 1 is now complete with all CAF Phase 1 funding in the sum of €4.9m received from DCEE.

The development of the network continues with the addition of Thermal Storage solution at the Energy Centre progressing to tender in early 2026.  This will allow mitigation of demand fluctuations, improve response solutions, and increase access to low-cost renewable electricity supply sources particularly at night.  Expanding the customer base and incorporating thermal -storage capabilities are crucial steps for the system to achieve maximum operational efficiency and lower costs to customers.

New network pipes have recently been installed through the Airton Road extension road construction project and have been pressure tested and filled with gas for connection of future Phase 2 customers at the key development lands at Cookstown/Hospital.  Development of Phase 2 is being pursued, and funding has been awarded to the project for development of the Phase 2 model under EU Interreg RODEO Programme which commenced in Jan 2025. 

Discussions are advancing with DCEE in relation to finalising CAF Funding for Tallaght Didtrict Heating Scheme Phase 2 which will see the completion of the envisaged 10MW network.  

Preliminary feasibility analysis is being carried out for an industrial heat network at Grange Castle Business Park and heat supply being delivered through a DH scheme and powered by waste heat from Grange Castle for residential development in the area.

SDCC has delivered a successful 'proof of concept' District Heating scheme in Tallaght and continues to work with the Department of Climate, Energy & Environmet, SEAI and Codema to advance District Heating projects in the county.