The government led by Andy Burnham has confirmed a £90 million investment to enhance and build new heat networks, benefiting more than 750,000 homes with cheaper, cleaner heating. Announced on Wednesday 23 September by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in collaboration with Martin McCluskey MP, the funding aims to lower energy costs and reduce environmental impact through modern infrastructure.
This significant investment will go towards constructing new low-carbon heating networks, repairing faults in existing systems, and minimising energy waste. The initiative is also expected to create over 2,000 jobs throughout the various projects.
Minister for Local Energy and Jobs, Martin McCluskey, emphasised the broader benefits: “Clean power and clean heat benefit communities across our country. Building the infrastructure to deliver it is reindustrialising the UK and rolling out cutting-edge energy technology so families can benefit from lower bills, good jobs and energy security.”
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He added, “For those already using heat networks, we are upgrading inefficient systems to make sure people get the high-quality, low-cost, reliable heating they deserve.”
Among the projects receiving funding is the Solihull heat network, which will receive £3.9 million to extend service beyond current council buildings, including a leisure centre, theatre, and college, to serve more locations throughout the town.
Meghan Newman, Policy Manager at ADE: Heat Networks, welcomed the funding, stating: “This funding is a clear signal that heat networks matter. To hit our climate goals, we must be just as focused on fixing inefficient legacy systems as we are on building the smart networks of the future. That’s how we cut bills and deliver results for consumers.”
It is important to note that all new infrastructure projects will require planning consent. Government funding decisions are independent of the planning process, and approvals will be based solely on the established criteria for each case.