Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and Warm Homes Social Fund Schemes announced
Improving support for heat networks
The government has announced the continuation of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, as well as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which replaces the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
We’ve worked with these two schemes to recognise the benefits that low carbon heat networks bring and ensure that heat networks can benefit from the funding available from these schemes in the same way that other low carbon solutions can.
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Guidance now highlights heat networks as a technology to consider when an application is being prepared. To support applicants to identify where heat networks are expected to provide the lowest cost, low carbon heat to buildings in the future, we have made maps available from 21 of the towns/cities that took part in our Heat Network Zoning Identification Pilot. These will enable applicants to make informed decisions about where heat networks exist and/or are highly likely to grow or be built.
We’ve also worked with the schemes on heat network compatibility guidance for when a heat network connection is not currently possible but is likely to be developed. This will enable applicants to future proof installations to facilitate an easy connection to a heat network in the future.
The Warm Homes Social Housing Fund can now fund both new heat networks and the decarbonisation of existing ones. This is additional to funding the cost of heat network connections that was available under the Social Housing Decarbonisation fund. The cost caps have also been revised to include a low carbon heating incentive which low carbon heat networks will be able to access.
Market Engagement Webinars
We are hosting a series of market engagement webinars to share information about the types of opportunities coming to market through the Advanced Zoning Programme, which aims to have at least 10 heat network zones under construction by December 2026. These events will be of particular interest to heat network developers, the supply chain, investors and professional service organisations.
The second in our series of Market Engagement Webinars will be held on Tuesday 22 October 3 - 4pm. This session will build on the first webinar held in September. Stockport Council will be presenting their project and we’ll respond to some of the questions raised last time on projects in Plymouth and Leeds. Attendees will also receive an update on the timeframes of the programme and there will be an opportunity to submit questions, which will be responded to in the next webinar, which will take place on Tuesday 3 December 3-4pm.
- To attend the 22 October webinar, please register in advance.
- To attend the 3 December webinar, please register in advance.
Are you prepared for Heat Network Zoning?
Help us understand whether you are well prepared for heat network zoning and where we may need to do more by responding to our regular survey
You may remember we got in touch in March to find out more about what you know about heat network zoning. We’re checking in every six months to understand how awareness and preparedness are changing over time. We would therefore appreciate it if you could please complete this short survey. It should take less than five minutes to complete and will help us deliver the events and engagement you most want.
The survey will be open until Friday 27 October.
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