Guidance

Heat Networks Delivery Unit

Support and guidance for local authorities developing heat networks.

From:
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Published
15 September 2017
Last updated
30 March 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Heat Network Zoning

Heat Network Zoning (HNZ) will designate areas where heat networks are expected to provide the lowest cost, low carbon heating for buildings.

The government is now drafting the zoning implementation Statutory Instrument (SI) that will implement the proposals for heat network zoning as set out in the consultation response. Under the SI, the Heat Network Zoning Authority (the ZA) will be required to publish a five-year zoning pipeline every year. This is a list of expected designated zones with heat networks to be constructed or under construction, in the next five years.

Heat Network Zoning pipeline review

DESNZ is now looking to develop its future pipeline of prioritised potential zones, in advance of the statutory formation of the Zoning Authority.

We are therefore inviting strategic and local authorities in England to help inform the development of the future pipeline of heat network zones and to identify the next tranche of zones to be brought forward for implementation.

Once the pipeline has been reviewed, funding and technical assistance may be offered to a limited number of areas to conduct initial or full implementation of zoning in their area.

We are inviting authorities to respond with information on zone opportunity areas in their local areas by 29 May 2026. DESNZ will welcome responses at any time as part of a continuous process of pipeline monitoring but only those responses received before the deadline will be reflected in this initial pipeline review exercise.

If you are interested in responding, please contact HNDU at hndu@energysecurity.gov.uk to receive a response pack, which will include response guidance and maps of the zone opportunity areas in your local area.

HNDU Heat Network Project Pipeline

HNDU previously published quarterly project pipelines. These project pipelines should not be conflated with the future heat network zoning pipeline. These documents are not currently being updated, but will be retained for reference.

Local authorities supported by HNDU

Local authorities supported by the Heat Networks Delivery Unit in rounds 1-14: map (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 29.5 KB)

Heat network guidance

Heat networks: guidance for developers and supply chain

Template financial model

Evaluation of the Heat Networks Delivery Unit: Part 2 published April 2018

The future of heating: meeting the challenge, March 2013

See the overview of government support for heat networks.

Updates to this page

Published 15 September 2017
Last updated 30 March 2026 show all updates

  1. We are inviting authorities to respond with information on zone opportunity areas by 29 May 2026, in order to develop a future pipeline of prioritised potential zones.

  2. Round 15 is now closed to applications.

  3. Round 15 is open to applications. It will close on 12 September 2025.

  4. Due to the high demand for HNDU funding and number of applications already received, we need to close the round early. Round 14 will now close to applications on 30 September 2024.

  5. Round 14 is now open to applications, closing on 31 October 2024.

  6. Round 13 closed to applications on 31 December 2023.

  7. Round 13 is open, closing on 31 December 2023.

  8. Round 12 dates and guidance added.

  9. Heat Networks Delivery Unit Round 10 opens 1 May 2020.

  10. HNDU Round 9 is now open.

  11. HNDU Round 8 opens 17 May.

  12. HNDU Pipeline documents removed from this page and republished here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hndu-pipeline

  13. First published.

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