Notice

Apply for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES)

The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme supports performance improvements to existing district heating or communal heating projects.

From:
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Published
16 December 2022
Last updated
2711 JulyOctober 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES): guidance for applicants

PDF, 2.212.22 MB, 6768 pages

Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES): overview

PDF, 6.58 MB, 16 pages

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Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES): overview

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Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES): privacy notice

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Details

The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) provides funding to public, private and third sector applicants in England and Wales to support improvements to existing district heating or communal heating projects that are operating sub-optimally and resulting in poor outcomes for customers and operators.

It is a £80 million grant support programme spanning years 2023-2024 to 2027-2028.

Eligibility

The HNES is open to organisations in the public, private or third sectors in England and Wales.

How to apply

Read the guidance on how to prepare your application. The guidance provides information on:

  • the application process
  • eligibility criteria
  • how applications will be scored and assessed
  • the monitoring and reporting obligations for successful applicants

Contact hnes@gemserv.com to request an application form.

Applications for Round 7 have now closed. We will publish the details of HNES Round 8 here shortly.

Register for news updates

If you want to be added to the HNES mailing list and receive scheme announcements and news updates, please contact hnes@gemserv.com.

Guidance

We have produced a series of guidance videos which set out practical steps that heat network operators can take to improve the performance of their systems under HNES.

Background

The HNES is a core element of the government’s Heat Network Transformation Programme (HNTP). It follows on from the HNES Demonstrator which ran from October 2021 to March 2022.

The HNES is led by our delivery partner, Gemserv, and supported by partners Ramboll, Lux Nova and Turner and Townsend. Find out more about the Delivery Partner and resources.

Find out more about Heat networks.

Further support for heat networks

Heat Networks Delivery Unit

The Heat Networks Delivery Unit (HNDU) provides support to local authorities in England and Wales through the early stages of heat network development, including:

  • heat mapping
  • energy master planning
  • techno-economic feasibility
  • detailed project development

Green Heat Network Fund

The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) is a 3 year capital grant fund that supports:

  • the commercialisation and construction of new low and zero carbon (LZC) heat networks (including the supply of cooling)
  • the retrofitting and expansion of existing heat networks

It aims to develop and grow the heat network market and to address some of the challenges of decarbonising the UK’s heat sector.

Updates to this page

Published 16 December 2022
Last updated 2711 JulyOctober 2024 + show all updates

  1. Guidance updated with dates of new funding rounds and additional application form guidance.

  2. Applications for Round 7 have now closed. We will publish the details of HNES Round 8 here shortly.

  3. Guidance updated with dates of new funding rounds and some changes to the application process.

  4. Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Round 7 now open to applications, closing 26 July 2024.

  5. HNES privacy notice contact details updated.

  6. We have extended the deadline for Round 6 to 22 March 2024.

  7. Round 6 is open and will close to applications on 2 February 2024.

  8. Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 5 is now open, closing to applications on 10 November 2023.

  9. Guidance and overview updated to reflect changes to closing dates of Rounds 4 and 5.

  10. The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 4 is now open, closing to applications on 22 September 2023.

  11. Added HNES Scheme Overview.

  12. The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Round 3 is now open to applications, closing on 7 July 2023.

  13. HNES Round 2 is now open and closes to applications on 19 May 2023.

  14. Heat Networks Efficiency Scheme Round 1 now open to applications.

  15. First published.

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