The plan to develop projects valued at £22 million, includes MEL’s flagship initiative to supply low-carbon heat to over 10,000 households, education and retail properties in the new town of Shawfair.

This initial supply of heat, which is expected to be delivered to homes by March 2024, will be the catalyst for a wider regional network stretching into south Edinburgh and East Lothian.

At the full Council meeting this week, councillors heard the council is working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and other public authorities with a view to providing heat to the Bioquarter area and south of Edinburgh.

MEL will also be working with the council’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Team to identify heat network opportunity zones in Midlothian.

Other energy projects in the plan include exploring retrofitting energy efficiency measures in non-domestic council buildings and opportunities to turn minewater into heat.

MEL has also just launched a package of community education benefits.