Heat networks

About heat networks regulation 

What is a heat network 

Heat networks provide heating, cooling and hot water to more than one property in a building or to more than one building from a central source.  

They do this using a system of: 

• pipes 
• Heat Interface Units (HIUs) 
• heat exchangers 
• substations 
• energy centres 

Heat networks are run by operators and suppliers. The same organisation can act as both operator and supplier, or they may be separate organisations. 

Operators control and maintain the network. Suppliers provide customers on the network with heating, cooling or hot water. Suppliers are the main point of contact for the customer. 

Heat networks regulation 

We regulate heat networks in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Our regulations focus on ensuring good outcomes for customers, including: 

• good customer service 
• reducing the impact of reliability of supply issues 
• transparent, easy to understand energy bills 
• fair pricing 

Heat networks regulation is being introduced in phases. So far: 

• Citizens Advice, Consumer Scotland and Energy Ombudsman have launched advocacy, advice and redress services for heat network customers 
• all operating heat networks have been automatically authorised to continue to supply heating, cooling or hot water (this is called ‘deemed authorisation’) 
• we have published a set of rules for heat network operators and suppliers, called authorisation conditions 
• we have launched our digital service for operators and suppliers to register their heat networks with us and tell us about their organisation 

Register your heat network with Ofgem 

Operators and suppliers of relevant heat networks must give us details about their heat network's organisation, ownership, financial resilience and consumer protection arrangements by 26 January 2027. This is called registration.  

To begin the registration process, register or sign in. 

Register with the Energy Ombudsman 

As part of the new regulatory framework, if your role includes supply, you must also register with the Energy Ombudsman’s heat network supplier scheme.