The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF)1 will open to Welsh projects from Round 12, unlocking new opportunities for clean heat and accelerating Wales’ path to net zero by 2050.
The Welsh Government shares Westminster’s goal to reach net zero by 2050 and has committed to decarbonising all public sector buildings by 2030. In Cardiff, a number of buildings are already benefiting from low carbon heat through the GHNF’s predecessor, the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP). Extending the GHNF to Wales will scale this progress, with the potential to support thousands more homes and driving decarbonisation across the country.
Alongside the GHNF, existing public and private sector heat network owners in Wales can already access support through the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES). This ensures existing district and communal heat networks can deliver more affordable and efficient heating, while the GHNF will fund the development of new low carbon heat networks and the expansion and decarbonisation of existing networks for the long term.
This geographical expansion follows the Government’s commitment of an additional £195 million per year in capital funding for the GHNF through to 2030, announced as part of the Warm Homes Plan. From Round 12, both public and private sector heat network owners and operators in Wales will be eligible to apply.
The Welsh Government has also taken steps to identify where heat networks can deliver the greatest benefit. This includes exploring opportunities for community-led ambient temperature heat networks, particularly for homes off the gas grid.
In parallel, the Wales Mine Water Heat Opportunity Map is highlighting the potential to harness renewable heat from disused coal mines to serve homes, businesses and industry. These initiatives create a strong pipeline of projects that the GHNF can support through commercialisation and construction funding.
We look forward to working with partners across Wales to turn this ambition into delivery.
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Ken Hunnisett, Programme Director for the GHNF, said:
“Triple Point has been proud to partner with the UK Government since the launch of the Heat Network Investment Project in 2018. As the predecessor to the Green Heat Network Fund, that programme played an important role in enabling the Cardiff Heat Network — an exemplar scheme recognised in the Welsh Government’s Heat Strategy for Wales and one that is now delivering low-carbon heat across the city.
We are delighted to bring the Green Heat Network Fund to Wales and are already seeing a strong pipeline of opportunities, from urban heat networks to innovative solutions such as mine water and ambient systems. With clear political commitment from both the UK and Welsh Governments, and funding already secured through the Warm Homes Plan, we look forward to working with industry and investor partners to help bring these significant infrastructure projects forward and deliver lasting benefits for homes and businesses across Wales.”
Notes
[1] The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) is a multi-year, capital grant fund that opened to applicants in March 2022 and is anticipated to run to 2030. It provides support to organisations in the public, private, and third sectors in England.
