Aberdeen Science Centre (ASC) is now connected to Aberdeen Heat & Power’s district heating network, a move that will in time deliver a nearly 80% saving in carbon emissions.

The connection was made at the end of November, with ASC CEO Bryan Snelling, switching on the new power supply.

The science centre’s heat and power comes from the adjacent Beach Leisure Centre Energy Centre which is in turn directly linked to AH&P’s main city centre generation plant at Seaton.

Mr Davidson said: ‘As we had pipework already installed close by, connecting the science centre only involved an extra 50 metres and was therefore a very easy installation for us.’

The contract — worth £50,000 to AH&P’s commercial division DEAL (District Energy Aberdeen Ltd)— will in time deliver CO2 emission savings of 79% to the science centre compared to a conventional gas boiler.

Aberdeen Science Centre CEO Bryan Snelling said: ‘We have just reopened to the public following a £6million project to completely refurbish and modernise the centre, so this was an ideal opportunity for us to connect to Aberdeen Heat and Power’s heating network . We have been able to make the most of the very latest technologies to ensure the building is both as interactive and as energy efficient as it can be.’

DEAL was established in 2013 as a wholly-owned AH&P subsidiary to enable commercial customers to join the network. All profits made are collected by not-for-profit AH&P and channelled back into the network to maintain low energy tariffs for the core domestic market and further the aims of reducing fuel poverty.

Other existing customers include Aberdeen Sports Village, including the Aquatic Centre, Frederick Street Health Clinic, St George Church, and Aberdeen Lads Club. Also connected through AH&P are, city council-owned Marischal College, the Beach Ballroom, and Sport Aberdeen’s entire Beach Leisure Centre complex, as well as a further 21 non-residential and 3,500 residential properties.