Heat Networks: Exciting developments for the sector

In the push for net zero, there are exciting developments in the UK’s Heat Network sector.

Firstly is the confirmation of the new Government’s support for this sector, with enthusiastic comments coming from Miatta Fahnbulleh, Minister for Energy Consumers, at the recent Association for Decentralised Energy conference held at the British Library. It's encouraging to see that the solid work of DESNZ in this area under the previous Government, under initiatives such as the Heat Network Transformation Programme, should continue and is expected to be expanded and accelerated.

We've seen announcements around the proposed SWAN Heat Network, an ambitious £1bn scheme to establish a heat network in Westminster, potentially serving Government and other civic buildings in Whitehall, Victoria, and towards the Strand. The anticipated heat sources would be the River Thames and heat recovery from the sewer system. The South Westminster Area Network is being procured by Westminster City Council and is backed by DESNZ.

Heat Networks are communal heating systems, typically located in high density urban areas. Crucially, they offer a low carbon and low-cost solution, drawing on alternative heat sources such as ground, air and water sources captured locally, rather than using traditional fuels such as gas.

Waste industrial and commercial heat is another anticipated heat source. The nation boasts a history of "district heating schemes" often centred on campus-style facilities, but the sector is moving to focus on city centre schemes featuring heat supply to a range of public and private sector offtakers. In October, DESNZ announced funding support for proposed schemes in Plymouth, Stockport, Sheffield and additional support for the Leeds PIPES scheme.

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