The Government has published its response to the December 2023 Heat Network Zoning consultation.
This consultation response sets out the approach to heat network zoning ahead of the introduction of heat network zoning implementation regulations in England in 2026, with the intention of breaking down barriers to investment and facilitating the growth of heat networks.
Heat network zoning consultation 2023: government response
Heat network zoning consultation 2023: summary of government response
The consultation response has been released in line with the Warm Homes Plan which sets out the Government’s ambition to unlock “the potential of district heating” by:
- Setting a target to more than double heat demand met via heat networks in England by 2035
- Providing the tools to build more heat networks by introducing heat network zoning in 2026
- Driving investment through the Green Heat Network Fund and mobilising the National Wealth Fund
- Exploring all options to enable low-carbon heat networks to compete fairly with their gas equivalent.
- Ensuring existing customers get a fair deal, commencing a regulatory framework and extending the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) with £15million a year to 2029/30
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has planned five public webinars throughout February and March to support understanding of the approach to heat network zoning.
- Government Response to Heat Network Zoning Consultation:Introduction Weds 04 February
- Defining Heat Network Zones: Roles and Identifying Zones Weds 11 February
- Heat network zones in practice: Heat sources, connections and existing networks Thurs 19 February
- Delivering Heat Network Zones: Developer Appointment(competition and consenting) Thurs 26 February
- Bringing zones to life: Operation Weds 04 March
The Government has also launched a consultation on the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS), seeking views on the introduction of regulatory heat network technical standards. The consultation closes on 15th of April 2026.
More information about heat network zoning and details of the webinar series will be available in the upcoming DESNZ Heat Networks newsletter.
If you have any questions about Heat Network Zoning please contact the Hub