Apply for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES)
The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme supports performance improvements to existing district heating or communal heating projects.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
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 9 arehave now openclosed. andWe will closepublish onthe 28details Marchof 2025.HNES Round 10 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.
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 9 arehave now openclosed. andWe will closepublish onthe 28details Marchof 2025.HNES Round 10 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
Last updated
-
Applications for Round 9 of the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme are now open and will close on 28 March 2025.
Update history
2025-04-02 14:44
Applications for Round 9 have now closed. We will publish the details of HNES Round 10 shortly.
2024-12-31 11:26
Applications for Round 9 of the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme are now open and will close on 28 March 2025.
2024-11-09 00:01
Applications for Round 8 have now closed. We will publish the details of HNES Round 9 shortly.
2024-10-11 15:42
Guidance updated with dates of new funding rounds and additional application form guidance.
2024-07-27 09:00
Applications for Round 7 have now closed. We will publish the details of HNES Round 8 here shortly.
2024-07-17 15:22
Guidance updated with dates of new funding rounds and some changes to the application process.
2024-03-25 09:07
Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Round 7 now open to applications, closing 26 July 2024.
2024-01-29 08:55
HNES privacy notice contact details updated.
2024-01-08 10:57
We have extended the deadline for Round 6 to 22 March 2024.
2023-11-13 17:17
Round 6 is open and will close to applications on 2 February 2024.
2023-07-24 16:20
Guidance and overview updated to reflect changes to closing dates of Rounds 4 and 5.
2023-07-10 14:26
The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 4 is now open, closing to applications on 22 September 2023.
2023-06-23 15:42
Added HNES Scheme Overview.
2023-05-20 00:01
The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Round 3 is now open to applications, closing on 7 July 2023.
2023-04-05 13:55
HNES Round 2 is now open and closes to applications on 19 May 2023.
2023-02-07 00:15
Heat Networks Efficiency Scheme Round 1 now open to applications.
2022-12-16 12:03
First published.