The National Infrastructure Plan, published today, has pointed to an increasing role for district heating networks. This important energy infrastructure will complement gas networks and building-level technologies such as heat pumps. The Plan highlights a particular role for heat networks in urban areas “where the density of heat demand can make it an attractive option”. A National Heat Strategy is expected early in the New Year.
Addressing the combined heat and power and district heating industry’s annual conference last week, Energy Minister Greg Barker set out the rationale for the Government’s renewed interest in this energy infrastructure:
“Our emerging analysis project points to a more significant role for district heating in the UK. In particular, it provides the most efficient and cost-effective method of providing heat in dense, urban areas where other technologies are constrained.
The Minister recognised the accomplishments of “pioneering companies and local authorities”, but indicated that with limited infrastructure in place today, there were major opportunities for future growth:
“District heating can be one of the major areas of energy infrastructure expansion in the coming decades, alongside the renewal of our electricity networks.”
CHPA Director, Graham Meeks, welcomed the new position emerging from Government:
“I am hugely encouraged that the emerging value of heat networks has fed through so quickly to the National Infrastructure Plan. This infrastructure has a major role to play in ensuring that our future energy system delivers reliable energy for consumers in our towns and cities at a price they can afford.
“Building the district heating infrastructure this nation needs would lead to an annual investment of £2bn, sustaining over 40,000 jobs each and every year between now and 2050. Using proven technology and the skills of our engineering sector, developing the heat networks we need for tomorrow could have an immediate impact in kick-starting growth in the economy.”