Heat network zoning timeline
2021
· Legislation
First heat network zoning consultation opens
The government consults for the first time on how heat network zoning in England should work. It closes on 19 November 2021.
Source: Proposals for heat network zoning, 2021 consultation (GOV.UK)
2022
· Places
Heat network zoning pilot announced
Government publishes details of the zoning pilot, which went on to work with 28 local authority partners to test how zones would be identified.
· Legislation
Government responds to the first zoning consultation
Government publishes its response to the 2021 consultation and confirms it will legislate for zoning.
Source: Proposals for heat network zoning, 2021 consultation outcome (GOV.UK)
2023
· Legislation
Scotland's zoning powers come into force
Part 3 of the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 comes into force, letting Scottish councils designate heat network zones. This is a separate regime from England's.
Source: Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021, Part 3 (legislation.gov.uk)
· Legislation
Energy Act 2023 receives Royal Assent
Part 8, Chapter 2 of the Act gives government the power to create heat network zones in England through regulations. Nothing operates until those regulations are made.
Source: Energy Act 2023, Part 8, Chapter 2 (legislation.gov.uk)
· Legislation
Second zoning consultation opens
Government consults on the detailed design of zoning, including which buildings must connect, exemptions and penalties. It closes on 26 February 2024.
2024
· Places
Bristol agrees to join the Advanced Zoning Programme
Bristol City Council accepts a government offer to join the Advanced Zoning Programme, which funds early zone development ahead of the regulations.
Source: Decision to accept an offer to join the Advanced Zoning Programme (Bristol City Council)
· Places
First zoning pilot outputs: heat network zone maps
Government publishes the first outputs of the zoning pilot, including maps of candidate zones for 21 towns and cities.
· Places
First places named to develop heat network zones
Government names Leeds, Plymouth, Bristol, Stockport, Sheffield and two London schemes, including Old Oak and Park Royal, to develop zones, sharing £5.8m. Construction is expected to start from 2026.
Leeds, Plymouth, Bristol, Stockport, Sheffield, Old Oak and Park Royal, Westminster (South Westminster Area Network)
Source: Six towns and cities to pilot clean heating innovation (GOV.UK)
· Places
Developer chosen for the South Westminster Area Network
A joint venture of Hemiko and Vital Energi is announced as developer of the South Westminster Area Network. The source is a press release from a project partner.
Westminster (South Westminster Area Network)
Source: Plans unveiled for UK's largest heat network (AECOM press release)
2025
· Places
First 15 zone opportunity reports published
Government publishes zone opportunity reports for 15 pilot places, setting out candidate zones, heat sources and costs. Liverpool's report records the city as part of the Advanced Zoning Programme.
· Regulation
Heat network market framework regulations made
The Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025 are made, setting up Ofgem regulation and consumer protection for heat networks, with most provisions starting on 27 January 2026.
Source: The Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025 (legislation.gov.uk)
· Places
Old Oak and Park Royal appoints a development partner
The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation appoints Hemiko as development and funding partner for a network using data-centre waste heat.
Source: OPDC announces Hemiko as development and funding partner (OPDC)
· Regulation
Consumer advocates and ombudsman take on heat networks
Citizens Advice becomes the statutory advocate for heat network customers in England and Wales, Consumer Scotland in Scotland, and the Energy Ombudsman starts taking heat network complaints.
Source: All about heat networks: your rights (Energy Ombudsman)
· Places
Remaining 13 zone opportunity reports published
Government publishes zone opportunity reports for the remaining 13 pilot places, completing the set of 28.
· Places
Stockport agrees to procure a development partner
Stockport Council delegates authority to procure a heat network development and funding partner.
Source: Decision: procurement of a heat network development and funding partner (Stockport Council)
· Places
Sunderland signs development agreement with 1Energy
Sunderland City Council enters a joint development agreement with 1Energy for the Sunderland Central heat network, estimated at £130m.
Source: Sunderland Central Heat Network joint development agreement (Find a Tender)
· Places
City of London tenders for a heat network development partner
The City of London Corporation publishes a tender for a development partner for a low-carbon heat network across the Square Mile.
2026
· Legislation
Government publishes its final zoning policy
The response to the 2023 consultation sets out which buildings must connect, the notice process, exemptions, penalties and the roles of each body. It expected regulations to be laid in spring 2026.
Source: Proposals for heat network zoning: government response (GOV.UK)
· Funding and targets
Warm Homes Plan commits about £1.1bn to heat networks
The plan commits to introducing zoning in 2026, sets up the Warm Homes Agency, and confirms £195m a year for the Green Heat Network Fund to 2029/30.
Source: Warm Homes Plan (GOV.UK)
· Regulation
Consultation on heat network technical standards opens
Government consults on the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme. The consultation closes on 15 April 2026.
Source: Heat network technical standards consultation (GOV.UK)
· Regulation
Ofgem becomes the heat network regulator
Ofgem's regulation of heat networks in Great Britain begins, with authorisation conditions in force. Simplified metering and billing rules take effect the same day.
Source: The Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025 (legislation.gov.uk)
· Places
Leeds awards city-centre partner contract to Hemiko
Leeds City Council awards Hemiko the role of development and funding partner for its city-centre heat network, with South Bank as the first phase.
Source: Next phase of low-carbon heat network set to reach thousands more residents (Leeds City Council)
· Places
Councils invited to put forward the next zones
The Heat Networks Delivery Unit invites local authorities to submit zone opportunity areas by 29 May 2026, to identify the next tranche of zones.
· Funding and targets
Green Heat Network Fund opens to Wales
Government extends the Green Heat Network Fund to projects in Wales from Round 12.
Source: Welsh households to save money on bills through heat networks expansion (GOV.UK)
· Places
Plymouth appoints Vital Energi as delivery partner
Plymouth City Council appoints Vital Energi to develop, invest in, operate and expand the city's heat networks, with first heat expected in 2029.
Source: Delivery partner appointed for heat network (Plymouth City Council)
· Places
Plymouth consults on heat network zone boundaries
Plymouth City Council opens a public consultation on two proposed zones. It is preparatory: the zoning regulations are not in force.
Source: Heat network zoning consultation begins (Plymouth City Council)
· Places
Liverpool consults on a city-centre zone boundary
Liverpool City Council opens a consultation on a proposed heat network zone covering the city centre and Knowledge Quarter.
Source: Have your say on city centre heat network plans (Liverpool City Council)
· Places
City of London consults on a Square Mile zone
The City of London Corporation consults on a proposed heat network zone covering the whole Square Mile, until 12 August 2026.
Source: Zone boundary consultation FAQs (City of London Corporation)
· Places
Stockport records a development partner award
Find a Tender records an award for Stockport's heat network development and funding partner to Heat Networks Development Company No.1 Ltd, shown as pending.
Source: Stockport heat network development partner (Find a Tender)
· Legislation
Minister promises support for at least 10 cities after regulations go live
In a speech, the energy minister says at least 10 of the biggest English towns and cities will get support to set up zones soon after the zoning regulations go live. The regulations had still not been laid.
Source: The role of heat networks in the energy transition (GOV.UK speech)
· Places
Sheffield names E.ON as development partner
An award notice names E.ON as development partner for Sheffield's Advanced Zoning Programme area, for an initial development stage. The award may still be in its standstill period.
Source: Heat Network Development Partner for the Sheffield AZP Opportunity Area (Find a Tender)
2027
· RegulationExpected
Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme due to launch
Technical standards for heat networks are planned to start in 2027 and be phased in, with longer transition for existing networks.
· RegulationExpected
Deadline for existing heat networks to register with Ofgem
Existing heat networks must be registered with Ofgem by this date. New networks must then apply for authorisation.
Source: Who should register a heat network with Ofgem (Ofgem)
2035
· Funding and targetsExpected
Ambition: 7% of England's heat from networks
Government's ambition is for heat networks to supply at least 7% of England's heat demand, about 27 TWh, by 2035.
Source: Warm Homes Plan (GOV.UK)
2050
· Funding and targetsExpected
Expectation: about a fifth of heat from networks
Government expects heat networks to supply about a fifth of heat by 2050, up from about 3% today.
Source: Warm Homes Plan (GOV.UK)