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We welcome Ofgem as the statutory regulator for the UK heat energy industry, marking a significant step in the sector’s development, bringing improved quality standards, greater customer protections and clearer routes of accountability across the sector.

To mark this milestone, Martin McCluskey, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero visited our  Queens Quay heat network scheme to discuss how the new Ofgem heat network regulations and Warm Homes Plan will drive improved outcomes for customers living and working on heat networks.

What’s Changing And Why Does It Matter?

• Ofgem will be the statutory regulator for the industry from Tuesday 27^th January 2026, introducing a formal regulatory framework for heat networks, strengthening consumer protections and driving improved technical standards and service expectations.
• The Warm Homes Plan sets the direction of travel for upgrading homes and scaling up of low-carbon heating solutions, including heat networks. We continue to welcome the funding support from Green Heat Network Fund (GNNF) and Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES).
• Heat network zoning is being developed to accelerate heat network delivery in areas where they are expected to be the lowest-cost solution for decarbonising heat. With the initial pilot zones already in procurement or commercialisation, heat network zoning will be found in towns and cities across the UK and will support the UK Government’s focus on improving consumer outcomes whilst meeting national decarbonisation targets.

With Ofgem’s regulatory oversight, heat network customers can look forward to improved consumer rights, living on a heat network governed by greater quality standards, more transparency over service accountability, and ultimately receiving fair treatment, especially if they find themselves in a vulnerable circumstance.

The Warm Homes Plan provides the broader policy backdrop for upgrading homes and the scaling of the low-carbon heat market. For Vital Energi, regulation is ultimately about improving outcomes for the people living on heat networks.

We support residents in living in heat network-connected homes across the UK through dedicated communication channels, engagement support, and joined-up operational services, including operations & maintenance and metering & billing. Backed by an experienced customer service team with expertise in supporting vulnerable customers, we help operators deliver the reliable, transparent experience that regulation, planning and funding are designed to achieve.

Our Involvement

As we welcome this major milestone for the UK heat network industry, we’d like to thank our colleagues who have been part of the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) and the Ofgem consumer protection consultation process, devoting their time, expertise and resources to enable this important regulatory development to happen and ultimately helping to improve the future of our industry.

Read more about how we have supported managing agents FirstPort in accessing HNES funding for improvements at their Capital East II development.

What Is The Timeline For Regulation?

2026 will be a year of transition, involving understanding the details of Ofgem’s ‘rulebook’ and ensuring the availability of accurate data to enable performance and customer care improvements across all heat networks.  Here is a brief overview of key dates:

• 1^st April 2025: Consumer advocacy services (Citizens Advice, Consumer Scotland) and the Energy Ombudsman became available.
• 27^th January 2026: Ofgem becomes the statutory regulator for the UK heat industry. All existing heat networks will be granted ‘deemed authorisation’ by Ofgem and will be able to continue to operate.
• Early 2026: Ofgem ‘rulebook’ released.
• Spring 2026: Ofgem’s digital service for registration and data submission goes live.
• 26^th January 2027: All existing heat networks must be registered with Ofgem, and new networks must apply for authorisation before operating.

Please fill out the form below if you would like to speak to someone about developing your heat network, your data infrastructure, improving customer care, accessing funds for improvements through the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) or simply your heat network requirements as we transition towards regulatory compliance.

The hot topic (the ‘R’ word)

This year, we will be discussing how the upcoming Ofgem regulation can serve as a catalyst, rather than a constraint, for improving legacy heat networks and transforming the consumer experience. Regulation should be a vehicle for improving heat networks, not the destination.

So, what’s on stand H301?

HOMES 2025 Exclusive – Practical Guide for Heat Network Improvements: Whether you’re working with legacy heat network infrastructure or developing new schemes, our practical guide will help you wherever you are in the journey to an efficient and reliable heat network. You can pick up your copy of our full “Practical Guide for Heat Network Improvements” from the Vital Energi stand H301.

The Ultimate Darts Challenge: Show off your skills at the oche, discuss your heat network goals, and you may win more than your bus fare home!

Daily Drop-in Clinics: At HOMES 2025, we will have industry experts on hand and ready to share their experience and answer your questions on transforming legacy heat networks and improving the experience of customers living on heat networks. You don’t need to book, but if you would like to register your interest to talk to someone, please email [email protected]

Daily Focus Topics

• Tuesday 25th November: Transforming legacy heat networks.

Drop in to explore practical solutions for legacy heat networks. Hear from industry experts, share your own experiences, and dive into real-world case studies that highlight what’s working and what’s not.

• Wednesday 26 Nov @ 1pm – The trust equation.

Join us for an open discussion on regulation, accountability, and resident wellbeing. We’ll explore how regulation can drive better outcomes for residents and help build lasting trust. Drop in, share your views, and hear from others across the sector. You don’t need to book, but if you would like to register your interest to talk to someone, please email [email protected] and we will make sure the team are expecting you.

Grab your free tickets!

Click here to secure your free tickets to HOMES 2025.

We are looking forward to seeing you on the Vital Energi stand (H301) at HOMES 2025, so we can discuss all things housing, heat network improvements and how we can drive better outcomes for customers.

Bolton Wanderers in the Community invited Ashley, Sarah and Francesca from Vital Energi pitch side to mark their headline sponsorship for the Bolton Community 10K and Family 2k for 13^th April 2025.

Running for the second year, the Bolton Community 10K and the introduction of the Family 2K for 2025 bring together people from across the North West promoting togetherness and supporting local charities across the region.

Vital Energi have a continued commitment to delivering value that goes beyond the implementation of their low carbon solutions. Already on board as a Community Partner of the charity the new sponsorship deal furthers their work towards making an impact on the lives of residents across Bolton.

The Bolton Community 10k returns with its closed road route starting and finishing at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Participants are encouraged to walk, jog or run to raise funds for either Bolton Wanderers in the Community or a charity of their choice. The introduction of the Bolton Family 2K for 2025 expands the charity’s aim in supporting our community by inviting schools and local grass roots teams to take part and raise funds for their own causes.

There’s still time to join us for the Bolton Community 10K and Family 2K. Entries close 23^rd March 2024. Book your space HERE.

The newly upgraded pipeline for the Duffryn Heat Network officially went live on Monday 13 May 2024 with Owain Roberts (Director of Property and Place, Newport City Homes) and Dave Hutchinson, Vital Energi’s Operations Director for Heat Networks, ceremonially opening the main valve.

The Duffryn Heat Network Replacement Project is one of the largest heat network upgrades in the UK and saw Vital Energi replace 7.5km of district heating pipework. The project received £3.7m towards the cost of replacing the pipework from the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES).

With the original installation coming to the end of its life, the new network will deliver sustainable heating and hot water to over 1000 customers for decades to come.

Sonia continued, “Duffryn Energy Centre is a central part of the Duffryn community. The new pipework secures the future of the Energy Centre and will continue to deliver sustainable heating and hot water to our customers for decades to come.”

The Duffryn estate was constructed in the 1970’s, with the Energy Centre installed at the same time. In 2015, construction began on the innovative 2.5MW biomass boiler which uses locally sourced wood chip to deliver low-carbon heat to residents.

Ashley Walsh, Vital Energi’s Managing Director of Heat Networks explained, “This network has a core part in people’s day to day lives so we’re extremely happy to have been involved in upgrading it, making it more efficient, reliable and bringing it into the 21st century.

“New products and techniques are now far superior to the technology around when the network was first established, so not only will this heat network last longer, it will also lose less heat and deliver better value for money for its customers.”