Consultation description

This joint DESNZ / Ofgem consultation seeks views and provides updates on consumer protection requirements around:

• the scope of regulation
• how protections will work for non-domestic and small-medium size enterprise consumers
• overarching standards of conduct
• obligations for fair pricing
• protecting vulnerable consumers
• step-in proposals
• approaches to segmentation

We have also published:

• the first set of draft heat network authorisation conditions as an appendix. We’d like views on whether these reflect the intended policy intent
• an Impact Assessment setting out the benefits and costs of introducing the consumer protections outlined in this consultation

We expect the consultation to be of particular interest to:

• consumer groups
• heat network industry, such as developers
• local government

Ofgem are also running a separate consultation on heat networks regulation authorisation and regulatory oversight, which closes on 3031 January 2025.

Background

This is the second part to the earlier consumer protections consultation in 2023 to 2024.

The consumer protection consultations build on policy approaches established in earlier consultations:

• the market framework in 2020 to 2022
• cost recovery in 2021 to 2022

Ways to respond

Respond online

or

Email to:

heatnetworks@energysecurity.gov.uk
heatnetworksregulation@ofgem.gov.uk

(Please respond to both DESNZ and Ofgem).

or

Write to:

Heat Network Policy Unit
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
3-8 Whitehall Place
Westminster
London
SW1A 2AW


Ofgem
Heat Network Regulation Team
Ofgem
10 South Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London
E14 4PU

Read our consultation privacy notice.

Documents

Heat networks regulation: implementing consumer protections - consultation document

PDF, 1.171.19 MB, 107 pages

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Request an accessible format.

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Heat networks regulation: implementing consumer protections - impact assessment (IA)

PDF, 487 KB, 39 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Heat networks regulation: implementing consumer protections - draft authorisation conditions appendix

PDF, 940 KB, 92 pages