Pete Mills, technical operations manager at Bosch Commercial and Industrial, says that the government’s demonstrable commitment to provide capital funding for heat network projects is a positive step forward for the commercial heating industry. 

The ‘Heat Networks Investment Project’ (HNIP) will see investment offered as ‘gap funding’ through a combination of loans and grants, which will be offered to eligible projects from April 2019. The scheme will accept applications until 2021. ‘HNIP’ seeks to leverage private investment to encourage the commercialisation and construction of the UK’s heat networks. 

Mr Mills said: “The UK is ideally suited for the development of heat networks as it is densely populated, with a high demand for heat. As such, the funding announcement by BEIS will open new market opportunities. The decision to pursue around £1bn in private sector funding is a significant boon which will encourage investment in the commercial heating industry.

“The ‘HNIP’ provides a valuable foundation on which to build, and should help to attract institutional investment. The challenge for BEIS now is to make sure that the application and selection processes deliver good quality heat networks without discouraging applicants through a drawn-out application process.”

He continued: “With the anticipated growth in the heat network market, local authorities and large private schemes are set to gain by securing government investment. It is important, however, that applicants do not see this money as a short-term windfall, but as an opportunity to invest in heat networks that prioritise the end-user in the design process. This will ensure that the money is invested into meaningful projects that prioritise consumers over a quick profit. 

“Heat networks are key to the UK’s ambitions to lower carbon emissions and reduce consumers’ energy bills. BEIS’ investment should be seen as the starting point for encouraging the construction of heat networks that place the consumer at the heart of the design process.”