Plymouth heat network zone
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UnreviewedThis record was compiled from the sources below and has not yet had an editor’s final check. Report an error.
Summary
Where Plymouth has got to
Plymouth has moved further than most places. Named in October 2024 among the first places to develop a zone, it appointed Vital Energi as its heat network delivery partner in May 2026 and opened a public consultation on two proposed zone boundaries in June 2026. Neither step is statutory designation: that can only happen once the zoning regulations are in force.
Status
Stage history
- 1Pilot
Listed among the 28 places in the government's heat network zoning pilot, which published its first outputs in September 2024.
Source: Heat networks zoning pilot (GOV.UK) - 2Zone development area
Named by government as one of the first places to develop a heat network zone, sharing £5.8m of Advanced Zoning Programme funding.
Source: Six towns and cities to pilot clean heating innovation (GOV.UK, 25 Oct 2024) - 3Consultation open
The council opened a public consultation on proposed heat network zone boundaries. It is preparatory, because the zoning regulations are not yet in force.
Source: Heat network zoning consultation begins (Plymouth City Council, Jun 2026)
Geography
Zone boundaries and candidate areas
Two proposed zones: the Rennie Zone in the south and west of the city, using heat from the South West Water Central Plant and the Devonport energy-from-waste plant, and the Ramsay Zone around Derriford, using the NHS clinical waste incinerator and Marjon University.
Source: Heat network zoning consultation beginsCandidate areas come from government-commissioned studies and council work. They are not legal boundaries. A zone’s boundary is fixed only when it is designated under the zoning regulations.
Delivery
Developers and partners
| Organisation | Role | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Vital EnergiAppointed to develop, invest in, deliver, operate, maintain and expand the city's heat networks. First heat is expected in 2029.Source: Delivery partner appointed for heat network (Plymouth City Council, May 2026) | Development or delivery partner (outside the statutory process) | 20 May 2026 |
No statutory zone developer can be appointed until a zone is designated. Partners appointed by councils before then are listed as development or delivery partners.
Today
Existing heat networks
Marjon University ground-source scheme
Due to be expanded.
Source: Heat network zone opportunity report: Plymouth (by Buro Happold)
Paper trail
Council and government documents
| Date | Document |
|---|---|
| Heat network zoning consultation beginsPlymouth City Council | |
| Delivery partner appointed for heat networkPlymouth City Council | |
| Heat network zone opportunity report: Plymouth (by Buro Happold)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero | |
| Six towns and cities to pilot clean heating innovationDepartment for Energy Security and Net Zero |
Changelog
Changes logged for Plymouth
Alerts
Get an email when Plymouth changes stage
Sources
Sources for this page
- Heat networks zoning pilot (updated 25 November 2025) — Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 25 November 2025
- Six towns and cities to pilot clean heating innovation — Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 25 October 2024
- Delivery partner appointed for heat network — Plymouth City Council, 20 May 2026
- Heat network zoning consultation begins — Plymouth City Council, 8 June 2026
Record last checked .