Latest news roundup from our Heat Network Zoning Engagement Lead, Elli Nikolaidou
Heat network zoning regulations
As you may already know, DESNZ has been drafting the statutory instrument (regulations) that will implement the proposals made in the heat network zoning consultation response. A draft was shared for comment in March, with DESNZ then receiving more than 500 individual comments from a range of stakeholders. All feedback received will be considered and inform the final draft of the regulations. Once laid in Parliament, they will be subject to debates in both Houses.
DESNZ is taking time to fully consider all comments received. As a result of this, they are targeting a summer laying date, potentially after summer recess. They still intend for regulations to take effect by the end of the year (subject to Parliamentary time).
Counterfactual study
DESNZ has funded a study on the capital and operating costs of a building‑level, low-carbon solution (i.e., an ASHP). These can be compared against the connection charge and the cost of supplying heat to a building, as proposed by a heat network developer.
The study resulted in a report and a calculator (in the form of a spreadsheet). To access these two documents, please complete the form on the front page of UKDEA’s website (selecting ‘Heat Revenues & Connection Charges Counterfactuals Study’): Home – UKDEA. To provide feedback on the documents, please contact heatnetworks@energysecurity.gov.uk and secretary@ukdea.org.uk.
Register your heat network with Ofgem
Operators and suppliers of existing heat networks are required to register their networks by the 26th of January 2027.
The first step is to create an account on Ofgem’s website: Comply with heat networks consumer protection regulations | Ofgem. Guidance can be found on Ofgem’s YouTube channel (on the ‘Heat Networks Learning’ playlist): Ofgem – YouTube.
Green Heat Network Fund: Round 12 applications
Applications for the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) Round 12 are now open and will close on the 25th of September. Applicants are able to request funding for financial years 2026/27, 2027/28, 2028/29, and 2029/30. You can access the guidance document here: Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF): guidance on how to apply – GOV.UK.
If you are interested in applying, please express your interest through Triple Point’s webform to receive the application pack: Expression of Interest – GHNF.
For more information about Hub support for Heat Network Zoning get in touch with Elli at Contact us – South West Net Zero Hub (select Heat Networks/ Zoning)