Government has published a consultation that looks to re-shape the heat supply market by giving one or more operators exclusivity over new geographical "zones" and requiring buildings and developments to connect.
The aim is to introduce regulation in 2024 which will significantly ramp up the roll-out of heat networks by giving confidence to investors and suppliers that they will
have a captive demand base and reassuring off-takers that a connection is an appropriate and cost-effective solution to decarbonising heat in that area.
These proposals will have a seismic impact on the planning and delivery of heat networks, which will help bring them into the mainstream, but which all stakeholders need to be aware of when planning new developments or retrofitting existing buildings within towns and cities.
