Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has taken recent steps to help develop supply chains to meet the heat network development objectives set out in the Energy Bill.

The Department is working with industry and local authorities through the Heat Networks Delivery Unit to build a pipeline of Heat Network projects and is investing £500m in funds and programmes in the heat network sector through the Heat Network Transformation Programme.

The £288 million Green Heat Network Fund, launched in March 2022, requires applicants to show what actions they can take as part of their projects to enable growth within the supply chain that will provide lasting benefit to the wider market.

Through the £5 million Heat Training Grant the Government is further improving the skills and understanding of people working across the heat network sector.