Mr Harvie visited Hillpark Drive in Pollkshaws to meet tenants and staff of Wheatley Homes Glasgow and learn more about the low-carbon district heating system there.

The district heating scheme at Hillpark Drive, which opened in 2018, provides heating and hot water to 320 homes in the area through a network of underground and overground pipes almost 5km in length.

The system takes heat out of the air, using innovative Air Source Heat Pump technology prototyped and built in Glasgow and not used before on this scale elsewhere in the UK.

It saves around 1000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year and helps reduce fuel bills for people living there.

Mr Harvie said: “I was delighted to hear from residents at Hillpark about the positive impact district heating has in reducing fuel bills and improving homes – and all at the same time as tackling climate change. Scotland needs many more projects like this in the years ahead.”

Tenant Edith Quinn, 86, has lived in Hillpark Drive since 1985, and says she is very happy with the heating system. Edith said: “The district heating system is very efficient and it definitely keeps the house nice and warm. It’s easier to control too. It’s also excellent for the environment because it’s important we don’t use coal.”

Frank McCafferty, Wheatley Group director of repairs and assets, added: “We were delighted to show the Minister round the district heating system at Hillpark Drive.

“District heating systems are an important way of reducing carbon emissions and tackling fuel poverty and are another example of Wheatley’s commitment to creating ‘Greener Homes, Greener Lives’ across Scotland over the next five years.

“Many of our communities are already benefiting from our massive investment programme, including in insulation, improving the energy-efficiency of heating systems in multi-storeys and solar panels, which make our homes more environmentally friendly and reduce heating costs.”