Who runs it: the Authority, coordinators and developers

Heat network zoning involves several organisations, each with a distinct job. Some exist today. Others will only take on their zoning roles once the regulations are in force. At our last check their status was: Not yet laid before Parliament[source]. The roles below are taken from the government's published policy.

The Heat Network Zoning Authority

At the top sits the Heat Network Zoning Authority. It is the national body responsible for running zoning across England: setting the method for identifying zones, overseeing local bodies and stepping in where things stall.

Under the policy, the authority Sits within DESNZ at first, then moves to the Warm Homes Agency once that is set up[source]. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, often shortened to DESNZ, is the government department responsible for energy policy. The Warm Homes Agency is a new body announced in the Warm Homes Plan, published in January 2026.

The authority's role is national. It is not expected to run individual zones, but it can act where local arrangements fail.

Zone coordination bodies

Each zone will have a zone coordination body, which runs the zone locally. Its jobs are expected to include refining the boundary, working with the developer, and issuing formal notices to buildings that are due to connect.

Under the policy, coordination bodies are Set up by local government; the zoning authority can step in if councils cannot agree within 28 days[source]. In most places that will mean the council. Where a zone crosses council boundaries, or where councils prefer to work together, a combined authority may take the role.

The notice process shows how central the coordination body is. Under the policy, the coordination body issues a connection notice when the developer asks for one, and The zone coordination body issues the notice within 2 weeks of the zone developer's request[source]. It must also be satisfied that the building can actually be connected in time.

Several places are already preparing. Greater Manchester's combined authority is setting up arrangements to act for its ten boroughs, and the Greater Manchester page tracks its progress. For most other pilot places our records list the council as the expected coordination body, but none has been formally confirmed, because the regulations do not yet exist. Our place pages mark each coordination body as expected until a primary source confirms it.

Zone developers

The zone developer builds, finances and runs the network. Under the policy, developers will be Appointed through competition, with exclusive rights to develop a heat network in the zone delivery area[source].

Exclusivity is the key. It means only one developer can build a zone network in a given area, which gives investors the confidence to commit large sums before most customers have signed up. The developer is also the party that asks the coordination body to issue connection notices, so the pace at which buildings are brought onto the network will largely follow the developer's construction plan.

No statutory zone developer has been appointed anywhere, because no zone has been designated. But several councils have run their own competitions for development or delivery partners, often with government funding through the Advanced Zoning Programme. The first places named for that early work were: Leeds, Plymouth, Bristol, Stockport, Sheffield and two schemes in London, including Old Oak and Park Royal[source]. Partners already appointed include Hemiko in Leeds and at Old Oak and Park Royal, Vital Energi in Plymouth and E.ON in Sheffield. These are council appointments made outside the statutory process.

Ofgem

Ofgem regulates heat networks as businesses that supply customers. That role is separate from zoning and already in force. Ofgem became the regulator across Great Britain on 27 January 2026[source], and it applies to existing networks whether or not they are in a zone.

Its authorisation conditions cover matters such as pricing, billing, treatment of vulnerable customers and complaint handling. This matters for zoning because a requirement to connect would be hard to justify if customers had no protection once connected. Existing networks must register: By 26 January 2027[source]. Any network built in a zone will also be regulated by Ofgem. Our Ofgem page has the detail.

Consumer advocates and the ombudsman

Customers of heat networks now have the same kind of independent support as gas and electricity customers.

These bodies help residents and businesses on any heat network, including those that will be built in zones.

Technical standards

A separate scheme will set minimum technical standards for how heat networks are designed, built and operated. The Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme is planned as follows: Planned launch in 2027, phased in[source]. Under the proposals it would be run by A Code Manager, initially the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which may appoint a scheme operator[source]. Our HNTAS page explains what it is expected to cover.

Funders and advisers

Government also supports councils before any zone exists. The Heat Networks Delivery Unit provides Grants and technical support for council heat network studies in England and Wales[source]. Capital funding for building networks comes mainly through the Green Heat Network Fund. The Warm Homes Plan set out the overall budget: Published 21 January 2026, with about £1.1bn for heat networks from 2025/26 to 2029/30[source].

How the pieces fit together

In simple terms, the authority sets the national rules and the method, the coordination body applies them locally, and the developer builds and runs the network. Ofgem regulates the developer as a heat supplier, the consumer bodies support customers, and the technical standards set the quality bar. Funding from government helps councils do the early work before any zone is designated.

Building owners

Finally, the people most affected. Owners of buildings in the categories that could be required to connect will deal mainly with two bodies: the developer, to agree a connection date and terms, and the coordination body, which issues notices and decides on exemptions. Residents of buildings that connect will deal with the network operator day to day, with Ofgem rules and the ombudsman behind them.

The what is heat network zoning explainer sets out which buildings are covered. The step-by-step guide shows where each body comes in.