ADE: Heat Networks

Heat networks are the proven path to decarbonising our towns and cities at scale

Heat networks (district heating) are shared systems that deliver low-carbon heating, hot water and cooling to homes and businesses through a network of insulated pipes. Heat networks are shared infrastructure that supplies low-carbon heating, hot water and cooling to homes and businesses. By capturing heat from sources such as renewables, rivers, geothermal energy, data centres and combined heat and power, they decarbonise heating while creating local jobs and economic growth.

ADE: Heat Networks exists to make sure low-carbon heat networks play their rightful role in the energy transition and the UK seizes the opportunity to grow this market from 3% and a £5 billion opportunity today to more than 20% and a £100 billion opportunity by 2050.

Our work on heat networks includes city-wide district heating as well as smaller scale heat networks using ground source heat pumps and shared ground loops. All of these technologies have a role to play in decarbonising heat in the UK whether that's across our densely populated cities or in more localised areas.

Join us today to be part of the smart energy revolution

Benefits of Heat Networks

Local Jobs The Heat Network sector can create up to 100,000 jobs by 2050 - as all heat networks are fundamentally local, the vast majority of these jobs will be local and impossible to offshore.

Energy System Savings Heat Networks can save the energy system £86.5bn by preventing the need for further grid build-out and harnessing local heat sources like waste heat.

Economic Growth The Heat Network sector can bring up to £100bn of private investment to the UK by 2050. The UK is the largest growth market for heat networks in Europe.

Carbon Savings By using renewable energy and other local heat sources like data centres, geothermal and industry, heat networks can save the UK millions of tonnes of carbon.

An energy transition that delivers lower bills, energy security and keeps the Government on track to meet our legally binding carbon budgets is only possible with heat networks.

The benefits of networked heat are many - from creating economies of scale and electricity system benefits, to the unique ability to harness waste heat. Each year, the UK wastes 310TWh of heat - enough to warm every home in the country.

The sector has the potential to drive local growth, or every £1 of public funding, the heat network sector attracts at least £3 in private investment.
Heat networks offer real jobs - up to 100,000 by 2050, fundamentally local and impossible to offshore.
Heat networks offer lower costs, they are able to save the energy system up to £86.5bn by preventing costly grid build-out.
Heat networks deliver warmer homes powered by heat we produce here in the UK, from large scale heat pumps, to data centres, industry and beyond.

By harnessing these local heat sources, we can stop wasting the energy we produce, lower bills for good and deliver economic growth across the country.

What does ADE: Heat Networks advocate for?

ADE: Heat Networks campaigns for Government policy that is clear, long-term and makes clean heat investable. Some of our campaigns include:

A Clean Heat by 2040 mission, the energy system needs to put value in low-carbon heat as it values low-carbon power. Only a fair, affordable transition will get us there.
Government intervention to close the cost of heat gap, ensuring that heat networks are cost competitive with gas boilers.
Rebalance energy levies so clean heat can compete with gas. Low-carbon heat networks pay tax (levies) on their electricity bills - whilst fossil fuel heat does not.
Stable funding for heat networks so investors commit and consumers are protected.
Strategic zoning so Government can identify where heat networks are best, then let communities and industry deliver.
Simplify standards, strengthen consumer protection and make the Warm Homes Agency effective.
Fix legacy heat networks and fund improvements so existing heat network customers get reliable, affordable heat.

Alongside this we champion the sector, helping local leaders, builders, investors and emerging heat sources understand the opportunity of heat networks.